Those IRA victims now seeking compensation from Gadaffi as, so to speak, a quid pro quo for the Lockerbie freeing would be better advised to look, not to the defunct Soviet Union, but to the far from defunct United States of America.
The two superpowers of the day were the really big funders of the IRA, the one that still exists because of the IRA's campaign against the Workers' Party. NORAID publications in the Reagan years made this perfectly clear, and seemed to think it unremarkable.
This is the context of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, and the denied maintenance of continuous communication with the IRA, by Reagan's dear friend, Margaret Thatcher. Perhaps they should go after her millions, too?
As a victim of Terrorism myself, it was my bad luck that the incident happened in 1974 when people just shrugged it off as one of those things.
ReplyDeleteMy view of the compensation culture is jaundiced.....mainly by the fact I didnt get any.
The arms from Libya and the arms from USA were both a reality although right wing and left wing commentators tend to airbrush one or other out of the story.
The first rule of procuring arms seems to be take them where you can. For example in 1912 the UVF happily took German weapons as did the IV at Howth.
NORAID for the most part was a nuisance. Although a useful one as they were so incredibly stupid, they were easy to take for a ride.
They had a slight grasp on Irish history and an even more vague concept of REALITY.
Occasionally when an American friend visits (such as two weeks ago) I take them on open top bus tour of Belfast.
They seem amazed at the support for Palestinians although the uncomplimentary mural of GW Bush has been removed....there are still plenty of others.
The AK47s on display in the West Belfast Republican Museum are alongside Armalites. You cant airbrush out either contribution.
Incidently the only person who ever gave the Workers Party (Official IRA) any vocal support in my hearing was a junior LABOUR Minister in the 1970s.
Certainly in 1969/70 the (Provisional) IRA was certainly set up with the aknowledge and support of the Irish govt and Catholic Church.