A chara, - Your Security Correspondent's version of motions passed at the Ard-Fheis of Republican Sinn Fein (December 2nd) needs to be countered by quoting the relevant resolutions. The ArdFheis did not "openly declare its support for the Continuity Army Council IRA". Resolution 16 "endorsed the public statement by our late patron, Comdt General Tom Maguire, in which he recognised the Continuity Army Council as the legitimate leadership of the Irish Republican Army".
General Tom Maguire, as the last and faithful survivor of the All Ireland Dail of 1921, rejected the Officials and accepted the Provisionals in 1969. In 1986 he dismissed the Provos and recognised the Continuity Army Council IRA. The Ard Fheis accepted his adjudication.
The Ard Fheis did not "stand by the Continuity IRA's actions". Resolution 21 stated that the "Ard Fheis stands by those who are still committed to driving the British Occupation forces from our land in a controlled and disciplined manner".
For the record, those who sought "whatever means necessary" were two in number on a show of voting cards. In addition, it is very necessary to correct the impression that "commercial targets" were mentioned at the ArdFheis, which was a political conference and not a military convention.
In my presidential address, I never mentioned the "Provisional IRA" as quoted in your other report. The text to which I adhered rigidly says: "As the Provisionals gradually move over into a constitutional political party . . ." I was referring to their entire movement, and especially to their political organisation. We do not accept that they are Sinn Fein, since they broke the Constitution in 1986.
Finally, the presence of the 26 County Special Branch is no novelty. Every year since 1986 just as previous to the split - they harass our delegates at ardfheiseanna. - Yours, etc.,
President,
Republican Sinn Fein, 223 Parnell Street,
Dublin 1.