'Real' IRA pledges to keep up campaign

The "Real" IRA has said it is committed to its armed campaign for the "long haul", and will not stop until Britain withdraws …

The "Real" IRA has said it is committed to its armed campaign for the "long haul", and will not stop until Britain withdraws from the North.

In a statement read out at an Easter commemoration in west Belfast yesterday, it said it was aware it faced an uphill struggle.

"The volunteers appreciate the fact that the task ahead will be difficult in the extreme, given the strength of the forces ranged against us.

"We reiterate we are in this struggle for the long haul until ultimate victory is achieved. Let all be clear - we will settle for nothing else."

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The "Real IRA" condemned the "spider's web of treachery and deceit from Downing Street, Leinster House and Parnell Square (Sinn Féin headquarters)".

By endorsing the Belfast Agreement, the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin had copperfastened partition, helped administer British rule, and then destroyed weapons.

They were now about to sign up to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, "a British colonial police force".

The "Real" IRA condemned the Government, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for paying "shameful obeisance to the warlords of Washington and London" by meeting Mr Bush and Mr Blair at Hillsborough.

"True republicans" rejected such betrayal, and remained prepared to "carry out any action which is required of them to enhance the cause for which so much was sacrificed by so many".

Around 100 people attended the commemoration in Milltown Cemetery, led by a colour party of men and women in black clothing, berets and sunglasses. It was the first Easter parade held by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement in Belfast.

Sovereignty Movement chairman Mr Francie Mackey said Sinn Féin speakers at Easter commemorations "had the gall" to claim the Belfast Agreement would lead to Irish unity. The opposite was the case. "By signing the agreement they have signed away the Irish nation. They have criminalised what Pearse and Connolly stood for, and what republicans stand for today."

Sinn Féin dismissed those opposing it as "micro groups", Mr Mackey said. But republicanism was "never about following a crowd".

"Britain is here under the threat of arms and force. Connolly and Pearse stood against that, small in number as they were. We are small in number but we honour them with pride and dignity."