July 5.
Christopher Dobson's article about Eta and the IRA and seeking
draconian powers showed that his urge to seek a simple solution has
overcome his willingness to draw intelligent conclusions from
observation of reality (July 2).
He seeks draconian powers -- he has got them.
Eta, for example, has never had to contend with the Prevention of
Terrorism Act; there are no political broadcast restrictions in Spain;
no-one in the Basque country languishes in jail for up to five years
awaiting trial (it happens regularly in Northern Ireland); no laws of
internal exile exist (UK citizens have regularly been prevented from
travelling to the mainland).
Moreover he alleges unwillingness on the part of the Irish Republic to
act against the IRA. If anything, the laws of the Irish Republic have
been even more draconian. Several IRA members have been executed in that
country this century and at present Port Laois gaol is filled to
overflowing
with those charged with political offences.
Likewise it has been quick to intern -- much more so than the UK --
while the dreaded Section 31 makes our broadcasting restrictions seem
wimpish.
Nor has the Irish Government been reluctant to extradite. It only
seems so because of the noise made in the British media and Parliament
over a minority of cases.
The lesson is simple. The answer to the continuing problem of the IRA
does not reside in yet more punishment. It lies in finding a just
political settlement.
John Dougan,
2 Castle View,
Newmains.
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