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Belfast Loyalists Issue Statement On Fascist Groups

Anon | 19.02.2006 20:34


In recent weeks a few deluded individuals within the fascist 'British People's Party', in particular their National Secretary Kevin Watmough, have (as they have in the past) taken it upon themselves to start issuing threats on behalf of their mythical "friends in Ulster". Threats have been issued on the Blood and Honour/Combat 18 site Watmough runs, on Indymedia, and on the UK section of the racist forum VNN, which the BPP control. The threats have accompanied smears, slander, and spurious allegations. We should expect nothing better from this rabble.

What follows is a statement issued by Belfast Loyalists. It was originally posted on another thread at  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/02/334026.html


A Statement (of sorts) which the BPP forgot to read.
19.02.2006 19:47

On behalf of the loyalist community of W.Belfast I would like to issue this following statement through a third party:

(To authenticate this statement, I would ask people to check tomorrow with registered sources.)

On behalf of the senior Command of the Ulster Volunteer Force and the directorate of the Progressive Unionist Party, I would like to make known here and now on this forum that we as a party and as representatives of a community of working class Protestant people, that we totally reject the far-right BNP and any of its English satellites.

The liberal media on the mainland has made many a connection between our people, and those on the mainland that choose for whatever reason, to associate with us for their own purposes.

We deny not, that there has been a history of "collusion" (often misrepresented) between sections of the Protestant leadership in Ulster and sections of the British mainland who have a vested interested in using working class Irishmen and women for their own benefit.


It has been drawn to our attention that on the "Indymedia" forums, as has been the history of these people, threats have been made against certain people (unknown to us) that these (unknown) people may be subjected to (in our name) forms of punishment or retribution synonymous with the Loyalist movement.

As we have often done, we would like to make clear that we reject entirely the motives and the reasoning behind fascist groups and indeed object entirely to their sectarian and fascist motivations.

That some people once on the periphery on the movement for working class Ulstermen and women may have once sought a common cause with these voyeurs does not mean in any way that we as a movement endorse their state-sponsored agenda to undermine our cause and our history of objection to their beliefs.

I would add, that many, if not all of our members live within the confines of a working class community unfortunately divided along lines that are no longer acceptable to the vast majority of people that live in this island.

As a result and previously, the leadership of the PUP has sought and received not only assurances from, but has also witnessed that we would not accept as a community the ideals of fascism.

That English voyeurs should purport to use our name to issue idle and worthless threats against voyeurs of another struggle of which we have obviously become intertwined, is offensive.

In 2003, members of the C18 and WNP were asked to leave Belfast by the UVF. They did so.

Any person using the governance of our organisation to therefore issue threats, is therefore to be treated with the disdain and the outright repudiation that such comments or statements made deserve
.
The UVF and the PUP reject outright racism and fascism. We will not engage in squabbles on behalf of Walter Mitty types or those that cling to them.

I believe this is the second time such a statement has been issued.
Peter


Anon

Comments

Hide the following 13 comments

fake

19.02.2006 22:20

no loyalist would write like that its a fake

and even if they did it would be dumb to deny that they are racists
the NF had the highest membership in N. Ireland and they were all prodestant

==


Doesn't look fake to me

19.02.2006 22:47

You're not really following the ball are you?

Al


Fake?

19.02.2006 22:57

You should go over to Belfast and tell them that mate.

Tony


where was this statement issued?

20.02.2006 14:29

Has this statement been issued through any recognized source, eg website of PUP or UVF? That would be the best way to check the authentication.

Harry Dog Stanton


Sectarianism and anti-racism, unlikely partners?

20.02.2006 19:25

Ha, that statement lloks like it's the handywork of my old mucker Steve DIY of Telford who thinks because the Progressive Unionist Party are, at the top, opposed to racism they must be OK. The same can't be said for the many Protestant paramilitaries that couldn't give a damn about the NF's racism because they are anti-IRA.

The UVF still hold the record for the biggest sectarian murder campaign of the troubles, the bombing of Dublin in 1974, and taking into consideration their record of killing hundreds of innocent catholics over the last 40 years, their support isn't something you should want to brag about on here anyway.

The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.

Telford Nihilist


Statement

21.02.2006 00:06

"But hey, what do I know. I'm just a facist Liberal, or is that a liberal Facist??? "

A fair point, but that doesn't mean the statement isn't genuine. Whatever the reality, the stated politics of the PUP/UVF have been complex, and this is hardly the first time they have publicly condemned racism and fascism. And for whatever reason, they DID chase C18 and the WNP out of Belfast.

Colin


Sorry

21.02.2006 01:13

Sorry TN, wrong quote in my post above! Should read: "The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend."

C


To Whom It May Concern

22.02.2006 15:01

This statement was issued in a personal capacity by a member of the PUP on Sunday19th at the request of an English antifascist who had read threats made on these forums (Leeds/Bradford) by the state sponsored BPP.

It has since been ratified.

The comments that have followed since its re-posting here I shall not address entirely, accept to say that the PUP admits there are errors within our [UVF's] past and these are being addressed continually. The history of conflict is exhaustive.

To point to one act of "sectarianism" is blinkered, when obviously both Republicans and Loyalists are currently addressing elements within our histories and mutual make-ups that have always pointed towards sectarian and indiscriminate behaviour. We are not and have never been "alone" or exclusive as one community to this problem.

Then to mock and suggest we are not committed to peaceful and antiracist solutions, solely on the back of the fact that the NF once had a large following in Ulster is equally ridiculous.

Was the National Front leadership that plagued Loyalist communities throughout the 1980's, not almost exclusively Catholic themselves? Was there a sectarian reason only perhaps, that the likes of Griffin, Harrington and Holland were told to leave Belfast and close their shop?

As for the wording not being that of a Loyalist, I would ask which imbecile it is that knows so little about Ulster and Ireland, that they cannot tell the difference between a Unionist, a Loyalist and a Republican?

The PUP recognises the growth potential for the far-right in the province. We have also undertaken action to redress this potential by addressing the concerns of the working class either in their perception or even if they were to be legitimate.

I would suggest that not just "Walter Mittys" of the Loyalist struggle, but also those of the Republican struggle, trawl through such forums as these with information and ideas of their own that are baseless and formed potentially from the comfort of their bedrooms.

The BPP will not be tolerated, neither will other fascists groups intent on stirring a diminishing pot. The BPP/C18 has been made fully aware of this, and a formal warning shall be issued should they decide to continue.



Clarity


Ummm....

23.02.2006 00:14

Hey Nerds,

The UVF disbanded before this threat was made.

 http://www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=7901

One thing I do know: anyone, Loyalist or Republican, who supported a multiracial Ireland on this side of the pond in any Irish pub existing in America would get a very expensive trip to the local hospital (no NHS or Eire equivalent here). In fact, probably at least 60% of the "fascist" scene stateside is of Irish/Ulster descent. All this fancy multicult smack is "cool" or whatever in Ireland, but in America.... Come to think of it, there's even a local band called The Fash that play pubs. No insult, no injury I guess.

Irish American


Hmm, Mr American

23.02.2006 12:55

I think you'll find the UVF has not disbanded, but is in the process of dissolving.

Read the article properly.

No official announcement hads been made. This was a personal briefing given to a resopected journalist (one of two) that was also withdrawn from the later editions.

They are still very alive and active and will be until the middle of next year, at least.

To varify, I suggest you ring the PUP.

Ian O


Clarification

23.02.2006 16:30

Both statements emanating from Belfast are certainly welcomed by some English antifascists, who appreciate their candour. That some individuals continue to sneer from the sidelines unfortunately says a lot about some of the fools who post on Indymedia.

English antifascist


To the point

23.02.2006 22:22

An American Nazi has deemed to post on this thread with a link to the BPP supporting site VNN.

The American analysis of the Irish "problem" on that site ridiculous. As is obviously all American foreign knowledge and policy.

Just to confirm what Ian O says, the UVF has not disbanded and will in fact most likely, dissolve some time next year. This is even stated in the article VNN links to!!

The UVF is not even on stand down.

Any WNP/BPP/C18 people who want to test that, need only attempt to show their faces in Belfast again.

The UVF's weapons are being put in "cold storage" I would hazard a guess, that the PUP would quite happily call upon them to be warmed up should English fascists again try their luck.

I'll give the English fash one quick glimpse at the direction the PUP are taking over the future of Ulster: Black, white, Polish etc, etc, all chose to live here.

In a democracy (the means by which the future of the province is vested) it is important from the point of view of the PUP that these people be welcomed into the community to help secure its future.

There will be no hesitation by the PUP leadership (yes, UVF men) in making sure that the English fascists are put back on the ferry from larne the minute they show their ugly faces.

And next time, I doubt they'll even give the 24 hours notice they did last time.

Peter


Well said

25.02.2006 00:19

Well said Peter. Nice to see the Belfast posties win too!

Charlie