STATEMENT BY MR. BERNARD BELLUSH, CHAIRMAN, THE NEW YORK STATE CHAPTER OF AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION, 41 E. 42ND ST., NEW YORK CITY

As chairman of New York Americans for Democratic Action, I am writing to support the Kennedy-Ribicoff-Carey Resolution on Northern Ireland.

We in New York ADA are deeply concerned about the intolerable injustices that are now taking place in the six northern counties of Ireland. We are particularly outraged by the police state internment policies of the British government which imprison people indefinitely without trial. We also continue to be appalled at the systematic discrimination in all areas of Catholics by the Ulster government.

Our support for the Kennedy-Ribicoff-Carey Resolution is based on the belief that its passage would help end these injustices. The resolution would have this country use its influence with its ally Great Britain to end the internment policies and to institute the reforms promised by the British government in the fields of law enforcement, housing, employment and voting rights. The resolution also calls for the convening of a conference of all interested parties for the purpose of accomplishing the unification of Ireland. The experience in the Irish Republic in the South, where Protestants suffer no discrimination, indicates to us that a united Ireland is the only long run solution to the problems that now beset Northern Ireland.

We believe that the United States can play a significant role in bringing a peaceful and just solution to the problems of Ulster.

STATEMENT BY MR. HARRY B. BENNISON, CHAIRMAN, ULSTER

AMERICAN LOYALISTS, LOS ANGELES CHAPTER

"Ulster American Loyalists" would be pleased, if, before reaching a decision regarding the situation in Northern Ireland you would consider the following facts and consider also that any decision on your part which the terrorists could consider helpful to their campaign of arson and murder could lead to further violence and death to security forces and civilians and further the cause of extreme left wingers in their aim of achieving a Socialist Workers Republic in a United Ireland.

1. Senators Kennedy, Harris and others have recommended a United Nations peace keeping force in Northern Ireland. This is an internal problem of the British Government and outside the jurisdiction of the United Nations. Further, as we attempt to get our boys home from Vietnam these Senators could be instrumental in sending American boys to their deaths in another fight which should not concern the United States. (It is very possible American boys could be part of this United Nations peace keeping force.) This situation will be made clear to the American public in the coming months, and should be considered when these elected officials come up for re-election, especially by the younger generation, whom it will directly affect.

2. In his book "Governing without Concessions," American sociologist, Professor Richard Rose reports a study taken in Londonderry about a year ago during the heat of the troubles, shows that among the Catholic population, 60% are against union with the Republic, indicating that the current troubles in Ulster are not caused by religious differences, nor by political dissension, but rather by the aspirations of a small group of radicals advocating the downfall of both the Stormont and Dublin Governments.

3. Funds are being raised by various groups in this country, ostensibly for the "relief of the families of the internees." Carefully nourished in America, it seems, is the myth that social benefits are denied to people or to their families because they are thought to be members of the IRA, or because they are in jail for shooting or bombing. Nothing is farther from the truth: Rather than being stopped or reduced, government allowances to the families of internees or detainees are increased. Their needs are regarded in the same way as if the husband were suddenly unemployed or unable to work through illness. Benefits are assessed according to need in each case, the size of the family and the normal standard of living not on a basis of bare subsistence. If a married man with three children, earning 21 pounds per week, becomes ill, unemployed or interned, his family receives a total of 19.25 pounds per week in State benefits (in the same situation in the Republic of Ireland, a man earning 21 pounds per week would receive only 11.83 pounds, under similar circumstances).

Internees are regularly visited by their families, are given recreational facilities. TV, books, newspapers, hobbies, etc. They wear their own clothing and their condition is regularly and closely scrutinized by the International Red Cross st the invitation of the Government. Just as the U.S. interned suspected Japanese during World War II, internment is an unfortunate necessary step when known or suspected terrorists are at large bent on arson, murder and treason. In fact, the Irish Republic resorted to internment during the period from 1939-1945 and again in 1957-1959. During the eariler period in excess of 800 IRA suspects were interned; during 1957-1959, over 160 IRA suspects were interned.

4. The grant-aided "voluntary" schools in Northern Ireland (all Roman Catholic schools fall in this category) receive a minimum Government grant of 65% for buildings, capital expenditures, equipment and operating costs. Almost 80% (those schools which agree to a minor representation of the local education authority on their management committees) receive an 80% Government grant for buildings and 100% for maintenance. In all cases, teachers salaries are met in full and there is provision for books, stationery, etc.

In fact 95% of the cost of providing and running Roman Catholic Schools in Northern Ireland falls on public funds.

5. There is universal adult suffrage in Northern Ireland with votes for all at the age of 18. Northern Ireland's voting systems are identical with those of Great Britain. There was never religious disqualification for voting. Prior to 1969, and only in local council elections (not for Stormont or Westminster seats), the vote was restricted to rate (tax) payers. This restriction no longer exists.

6. It is said that discrimination exists in the allocation of Government housing in Ulster. In fact approximately 40% of publicly owned housing is occupied by Roman Catholics, who comprise only approximately 33% of the total Ulster population.

If you have any doubts to the above facts the Northern Ireland and British Governments have published White Papers on these subjects and are readily available from the British Embassy.

Finally may I say that during World War II the Republic of Ireland in its supposed roll of neutrality was a headquarters for the German spy network, U.S. supply ships were not allowed to land there, many of which were damaged by German U. Boats and subsequently sank before reaching sanctuary in Northern Ireland. This was the worlds darkest hour then, and Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom fought alongside the United States and other allies. Today Northern Ireland has a darkest hour and I hope that through your good offices you will use good judgement and not contribute to anything that would hurt the duly elected Government and vast majority of Northern Irish people, Protestant and Catholic alike, who want only peace.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

COMPILED BY CORMAC K. H. O'MALLEY, NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR ULSTER JUSTICE

America, weekly publication; March 4, 1972 issue on Ireland; articles: The Irish Sea of Troubles, Ulster's Point of No Return? 106 West 56 Street, New York, N.Y. British Information Services pamphlet Northern Ireland, London.

Central Citizen's Defence Committee pamphlet, Law (?) and Orders, Sean Og 0 Fearghail, Dundalgan Press, Dundalk.

Congressional Record, Vol. 118, No. 12; remarks, Congressman Herman Badillo; remarks, Congressman James Buckley. Washington, D.C.

Congressional Record, January 31, 1972, remarks Congressman Edward Koch. Washington, D.C.

Congressional Record, November 2, 1971, remarks, Congressman John M. Murphy. Washington, D.C.

Congressional Resolutions: H. Con. Res. 465, Congressman Rooney; H. Con. Res. 523, Congressman Tiernan; H. Res. 631 Congressman Peyser; H. Res. 653, Congressman Carey; H. Res. 654, Congressman Carey, Washington, D.C. Council of Europe Press Release Dec. 21, 1971, Ireland versus the United Kingdom under the European Commission of Human Rights. Strasbourg, Germany. Daintith and Wilkinson, Bail and the Convention: British Reflections on the Wemhoff and Neumeister Cases, Am. J. Comp. L. 326.

Discrimination A Study in Injustice to a Minority, pamphlet, All-Party AntiPartition Conference, Mansion House, Dublin.

Divided Ireland, edited by Francis William O'Brien, Rockford College Press; The Catholic Minority In The North, Lawrence J. McCaffrey. Rockford, Illinois. Edwards, Special Powers in Northern Ireland, 1956 Crim. L. Rev. (England). Government Publications, All Irish Traditions, address, Mr. John Lynch, Prime Minister of Ireland; Dublin.

Government Publications, The Situation in the Six Counties of North-East Ireland, address, Mr. John Lynch, Prime Minister of Ireland; Dublin.

Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, 9 February 1972, remarks, Mr. John BiggsDavison Ireland. London.

Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, 1 February 1972, remarks, Mr. Merlyn Rees Northern Ireland. London.

Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, 25 November, 1971, remarks, Mr. Harold Wilson Northern Ireland. London.

Hewitt, John pamphlet An Ulster Reckoning, 5 Postbridge Road, Coventry. Hibernia, fourth nightly newspaper, issue January 7, 1972; directory of Irish Politians and electoral statistics. Pearse Street, Dublin.

Independent Labour Party, pamphlet, Belfast August 1971 A case to be answered, Danny Kennaly and Eric Preston, National Labour Press Ltd. 197 King's Cross Road, London WC 1.

Ireland In Rebellion, Gerry Foley. Pathfinder Press, Inc. 410 West Street, New York, N. Y. 10014

Journal of International and Comparative Law, pamphlet Report on Civil and Social Rights in Northern Ireland, Claude Mertens. A. Pedone, 13 rue Soufflot, 13, Paris Ve

Kennedy, Senator Edward N. Statement on the Ribicoff-Kennedy resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of British Troops from Northern Ireland and the establishment of a United Ireland, October 20, 1971. Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Map North Eastern Ireland showing complexion by Religions 1911 Census. Ordnance Survey, 1925.

National Council For Civil Liberties Northern Ireland NCCL Open Letter To The Prime Minister, 20th September 1971. 152 Camden High Street, London NW 1. National Council for Civil Liberties pamphlet Speak Out N. Ireland. 152 Camden High Street, London NW 1.

New Statesman article Wilson in Ulsterland issue 3 December, 1971. London. Northern Ireland, Government of Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Acts (Northern Ireland) 1922 and 1933 together with the Regulations and Orders made in accordance with the Provisions of the Acts up to 31st January, 1939. Supplements 1949 No. 147; 1950 No. 48; 1954 No. 179; 1955 No. 176; 1957 Nos. 3, 16, 45, 71, 132, 167; 1956 Nos. 191, 199, 204; 1966 Nos. 82, 146, 173; 1967 No. 42. H. M. Stationery Office, 80 Chichester Street, Belfast.

Northern Ireland, Government of Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Acts (Northern Ireland), 1943. Public Order Act (Northern Ireland), 1951. Public Order (Amendment) Bill (Northern Ireland). Emergency Powers Act (Northern Ireland), 1926. H. M. Stationery Office, 80 Chichester Street, Belfast. Northern Ireland, Government of pamphlets: Report of the Advisory Committee on Police in Northern Ireland October 1969. A Record of Constructive Change August 1971. Commentary upon the white paper (Command Paper 558) entitled "A Record of Constructive Change" published by the Government of Northern Ireland on 20 August, 1971. The Future Development of the Parliament and Government of Northern Ireland. H. M. Stationery Office, Belfast.

Northern Ireland Realities pamphlet Geoffrey Bing Q. C. Condensed from Irish Times articles of September, 1969. Cahill and Company, Dublin.

Northern Ireland Socialist Research Centre pamphlet Inquiry Into The Circumstances Surrounding The Deaths of Seamus Cusack and George Desmond Beattie. Northern Ireland-Newspaper articles: see Irish Times, London Times, New York Daily News, New York Times, New York Post. Various issues fall 1971— winter 1972.

Observer magazine issue 23 February, 1969 article Ulster: 300 Years of Hate. London.

Osborough, Democratic Principles and the Administration of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, in The Accused at 127 (J. Coutts ed.) (1966).

Policy and Reference Division, British Information Services. Looseleaf service available at the Columbia International Law Library, New York, N. Y. 10024. Race Relations Act 1968, Chapter 71. U.K. Parliament, London.

Readers Digest article issue January 1972, Northern Ireland's Bloody Impasse. Pleasantville, N. Y.

Review of the International Commission of Jurists June 1969 pamphlet Human Rights in Northern Ireland. Geneva.

Ribicoff, Senator Abraham statement Northern Ireland resolution, October 20, 1971. Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Rose, Richard Governing without Consensus An Irish Perspective. Faber & Faber Ltd. 3 Queen Square, London.

Schwelb, Northern Ireland and the United Nations, 19 Int'l & Comp. L.Q. 483 (1970).

Schwelb, The United Kingdom Signs the Covenants on Human Rights, 18 Int'l & Comp. L.Q. (1969).

Sinn Fein Information Office Ireland: The Facts. November 1971. 2A Lower Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.

The Economist financial weekly good brief analyses of the Irish Scene since internment. Various articles August-October 1971. London.

The AFL-CIO and Justice in Northern Ireland pamphlet. Irish Northern Aid Committee, 3157 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, Calif. 94118.

The Campaign for Social Justice in Northern Ireland Newsletter series 1-16 Castlefields, Dungannon.

The Campaign for Social Justice in Northern Ireland pamphlets: Northern Ireland -the mailed first. Northern Ireland-What the Papers say. Northern IrelandWhy Justice can not be done. Northern Ireland-The Plain Truth (Second Edition). Castlefields, Dungannon.

The Partition of Ireland-How and Why it was accomplished David O'Neill, M. H. Gill and Son, Ltc. 50 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin.

The Irish Algerian Parallel article Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien. The New York Review of Books, New York, N. Y. October 1971.

The United Ireland Association (Britain) pamphlet Stormont An Assessment 31 Daleside, Chelsfield, Kent.

This Week magazine November 5, 1971 issue article The brave "Wellingtons'. Issue November 12, 1971, Murder of a Socialist. P.O. Box 320, Creation House, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.