Dean Godson argues the IRA bombing should have drawn a line in the sand. For those who served, it raises a harder question: what happens when the state absorbs violence but scrutinises restraint?
Way back in 1972, when I was a captain in the Belfast reserve battalion serving the start of a 2-year tour in Northern Ireland Edward Heath appointed William Whitelaw as Secretary as State for Northern Ireland. He was the first. Within a year of his appointment I was beginning to think I should quit the Army. Even back then it was apparent to us soldiers that our politicians didn't have our backs. The squaddies didn't give Whitelaw the nickname Willie Whitewash for nothing. Fortunately for me I went off to Hereford and passed Selection instead off prolonging the futility of that long tour in Belfast and the subsequent years when my friends were hounded through the courts for their brave work with the MRF back then.
I reckon “a necessary component of a political design” can also be, in certain circumstances, appeasement – though the terminology and euphemisms employed depend on one’s point of view. Seems to me that appeasement, which can be a process or a single act, has been in the British establishment’s DNA since the *Suez debacle in 1956, such was the embarrassment. (The commencement of the highly successful Malayan Emergency preceded Suez, and the especially successful Dhofar War was not, strictly speaking, a British conflict. The conclusion of other conflicts, which witnessed acts of military prowess and individual courage, mostly ended messily, politically speaking, apart from the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, and the Falklands, thanks to a magnificent all-arms effort and an exceptional prime minister.)
In respect of the Northern Ireland Troubles, I think a long-sustained military effort assisted by a high-octane boost from SF (Op Banner) was squandered by wilful political appeasement (The Good Friday Agreement), which resulted in lenience to terrorists and the persecution of veterans. It has achieved nothing but offering leverage for further concessions. The new Troubles Bill is simply a continuation of appeasement by the British government to Dublin and Sinn Fein. Gaza will see the same pattern if Jonathan Powell has anything to do with it. Indeed, it already has. The nation-state means little to cold globalist ideologues and its veterans mean even less. Gangster-bosses become the first-call as interlocutors with whom to broker a deal. Legal process is built around appeasement.
Terrorism, and its derivatives, work – when dealing with western democracies. Indiscriminate murder versus the Yellow Card mindset and Liberal timidity. I had no problem with my tours in NI from 1972-77 except the sixth and last one when I felt that eventual capitulation was inevitable if not deliberate.
*It is a matter of record that President Eisenhower came to regret his decision not to support Britain over Suez.
Well folks! This is a very informative, and well written piece by Dean Godson. Dean very cleverly exposes the flaws and "double standards" that politicians appear to be very fond of and good at! To the Military mind, Northern Ireland was never a "complex situation!" The IRA and it's sub terrorist organisations were and are still "the Enemy." Subversion against the the State, is indeed a terrorist act! The Military and Political sphere must be as one on this, in agreement that; "We don't do deals with terrorists!" Which was once a government policy? Unfortunately, "The Blair Era" changed all that. He engaged with prominent members of the IRA (notably Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness!) And unwittingly or otherwise! "Made a Deal," and agreed to, give all members of the IRA their freedom back!! As soldiers of the Queen, we deployed to Northern Ireland to do the Government's "dirty work," to put things right and clear up the mess that was eating into the social and political fabric of Northern Ireland. Sometimes, it can be tricky, but military tactics are fluid and flexible to ensure the right result is achieved. NOW! Is a great opportunity for the current government, and indeed all future governments, to take heed, and learn from the historical mistakes that were made! Work openly with our Military Establishment, with a clear mind and honest intent, to establish a policy that will protect our troops from criminal persecution, for doing the job that they're trained for; One hundred percent! And leave no "grey areas" that will favour ANY terrorist organisations' wishes
It's actually shocking when you remember that the Conservative Party had been in power since 1979 and that the IRA had attempted to, and nearly succeeded in, assassinating the entire government in 1983.
I constantly here the paramilitary groups the URA. When their actual name was PIRA Provisional IRA. A break away from OIRA Official IRA Paramilitary groups. I served in Northern Ireland at the front line within a small unit of a Battalion. Every Battalion and Regiment had this group.
Way back in 1972, when I was a captain in the Belfast reserve battalion serving the start of a 2-year tour in Northern Ireland Edward Heath appointed William Whitelaw as Secretary as State for Northern Ireland. He was the first. Within a year of his appointment I was beginning to think I should quit the Army. Even back then it was apparent to us soldiers that our politicians didn't have our backs. The squaddies didn't give Whitelaw the nickname Willie Whitewash for nothing. Fortunately for me I went off to Hereford and passed Selection instead off prolonging the futility of that long tour in Belfast and the subsequent years when my friends were hounded through the courts for their brave work with the MRF back then.
I reckon “a necessary component of a political design” can also be, in certain circumstances, appeasement – though the terminology and euphemisms employed depend on one’s point of view. Seems to me that appeasement, which can be a process or a single act, has been in the British establishment’s DNA since the *Suez debacle in 1956, such was the embarrassment. (The commencement of the highly successful Malayan Emergency preceded Suez, and the especially successful Dhofar War was not, strictly speaking, a British conflict. The conclusion of other conflicts, which witnessed acts of military prowess and individual courage, mostly ended messily, politically speaking, apart from the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, and the Falklands, thanks to a magnificent all-arms effort and an exceptional prime minister.)
In respect of the Northern Ireland Troubles, I think a long-sustained military effort assisted by a high-octane boost from SF (Op Banner) was squandered by wilful political appeasement (The Good Friday Agreement), which resulted in lenience to terrorists and the persecution of veterans. It has achieved nothing but offering leverage for further concessions. The new Troubles Bill is simply a continuation of appeasement by the British government to Dublin and Sinn Fein. Gaza will see the same pattern if Jonathan Powell has anything to do with it. Indeed, it already has. The nation-state means little to cold globalist ideologues and its veterans mean even less. Gangster-bosses become the first-call as interlocutors with whom to broker a deal. Legal process is built around appeasement.
Terrorism, and its derivatives, work – when dealing with western democracies. Indiscriminate murder versus the Yellow Card mindset and Liberal timidity. I had no problem with my tours in NI from 1972-77 except the sixth and last one when I felt that eventual capitulation was inevitable if not deliberate.
*It is a matter of record that President Eisenhower came to regret his decision not to support Britain over Suez.
Well folks! This is a very informative, and well written piece by Dean Godson. Dean very cleverly exposes the flaws and "double standards" that politicians appear to be very fond of and good at! To the Military mind, Northern Ireland was never a "complex situation!" The IRA and it's sub terrorist organisations were and are still "the Enemy." Subversion against the the State, is indeed a terrorist act! The Military and Political sphere must be as one on this, in agreement that; "We don't do deals with terrorists!" Which was once a government policy? Unfortunately, "The Blair Era" changed all that. He engaged with prominent members of the IRA (notably Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness!) And unwittingly or otherwise! "Made a Deal," and agreed to, give all members of the IRA their freedom back!! As soldiers of the Queen, we deployed to Northern Ireland to do the Government's "dirty work," to put things right and clear up the mess that was eating into the social and political fabric of Northern Ireland. Sometimes, it can be tricky, but military tactics are fluid and flexible to ensure the right result is achieved. NOW! Is a great opportunity for the current government, and indeed all future governments, to take heed, and learn from the historical mistakes that were made! Work openly with our Military Establishment, with a clear mind and honest intent, to establish a policy that will protect our troops from criminal persecution, for doing the job that they're trained for; One hundred percent! And leave no "grey areas" that will favour ANY terrorist organisations' wishes
Didn't the Docklands bomb cause 600 million pounds of damage... A price the Major Government could not afford!
It's actually shocking when you remember that the Conservative Party had been in power since 1979 and that the IRA had attempted to, and nearly succeeded in, assassinating the entire government in 1983.
I constantly here the paramilitary groups the URA. When their actual name was PIRA Provisional IRA. A break away from OIRA Official IRA Paramilitary groups. I served in Northern Ireland at the front line within a small unit of a Battalion. Every Battalion and Regiment had this group.