British Terror Upheld by Cour

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In predictable decision by the Court of Appeal last week, four Irish political prisoners had their prison sentences confirmed.

The four-Carole Richardson, Patrick Armstrong, Paul Hill and Gerard Conlon-were all jailed for life in 1975 after the bombings at Guildford and Woolwich.

They had been among the first people to be arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act of December 1974.

Chrougnout their trial they claimed that they had been intimidated into making statements based on information supplied by the police.

It was on the basis of these statements alone that the life sentences were awarded-no forensic or any other evidence connecting the four with the bombings was ever brought forward.

Now those sentences have been upheld-despite the fact that the three men imprisoned after the Balcombe Street siege, together with Brendan Dowd who was arrested in Liverpool in 1975, all came forward to say that they had been responsible for the bombings at Guildford and Woolwich, and that the other four were completely innocent.

The judges threw out these statemențs without much ado.

For revolutionaries, though, the opinions of his lordship neither here nor there.

Victims of imperialism We recognise that all of the 100 and more Irish political prisoners in British jails are victims of British imperialist oppression of Ireland The various offences which the prisoners are supposed to have committedbombings, shootings, robberies-are all incidental to this fundamental fact.

That is not to say that we condone the individualiste conspiratorial terrorism the IRA, or that we accept any responsibility for the utopian nationalist policies they espouse.

Criticise policies

On the contrary, we criticise both the policies and the manner in which they are fought for.

But revolutionaries cannot remain neutral when confronted with a state intent on beating down all opposition to its exploitative rule.

Not only must we call for an immediate withdrawal of British troops from Ireland, but we must demand that all Irish political prisoners be immediately freed.

KONG Dozens of off-duty policemen went on the rampage last Friday, after a 2,000-strong police demonstration had marched on the headquarters of the government's "Independent Commission Against Corruption". The police are complaining that investigations into corruption within their own ranks are "unfair" in a society where corruption is virtually a way of life. The Police Commissioner Brian Slevin is now thought likely to establish a police officers' federation to enable grievaaces to be aired.

ARGENTINA

The government in Argentize has been rocked by the biggest strike wave since the no wary overthrew Isabel feron in 1976.

Despite the fact that strikes are illegal and the unions are run by the military, unofficial strikes led by railworkers, have swept the country.

The railworkers are claiming increases up to 200% because of the ravaging effect inflation has had on their wages.