Classified / Review

The Missing Piece in the Peace Process, by Ken Keable, published by the Connolly Association, £3 LIKE MANY who had positive hope that the Good Friday agree- ment was a step towards peace and reconciliation, I am bitterly disap- pointed by the lack of authority from the government on the pre- sent stalemate in the six counties. On reflection maybe I expected too much: after all, governments only become assertive on demo- cratic issues when pressurised to do so by the working-class move- ment. And here lies the vacuum in the so-called Irish question – which I prefer to call Britain’s problem in Ireland. The history of this “next-door neighbour” has been deliberately hidden from working-class people, with the impression that the ‘prob- lem’ was incomprehensible. This is a good old-fashioned rul- ing-class ruse which means the Irish can’t forget their history because the English refuse to remember it. So this little pamphlet is very welcome indeed – a clear and highly readable introduction to the reality of Britain’s colonial rule. It was written by an Englishman with the British working-class and democratic movements in mind, and Ken Keable is to be congratu- lated for the result. Tony Benn’s foreword describes the pamphlet as “the best and clearest account of relations between Britain and Ireland”, and emphasises the negative impact that Britain’s continued occupation has had on democracy here. This is an excellent, ‘must read’ for all – but especially for anyone who has ever despaired of ever being able to understand what’s going on, or who has ever fallen for the hoary old chestnut that ‘it’s all about religion’. Tony Donaghey The Missing Piece in the Peace Process can be ordered at £3 from the Four Provinces Bookshop, 244 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR The Missing Piece in the Peace Process By Ken Keable Price £3 FLORIDA WEST INDIES TRAVEL FLORIDA, Kissimmee, luxury villa 01268-750062 INDIAN WELLS KISSIMMEE Villas 10 per cent discount on rates for RMT members. Beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa in Florida. 5 minutes drive from Disney. Exceptionally central location. Own pool with screen porch and overlooking a lake. Will sleep 8 and cot facilities are available. Tel. 01202 425510 www.indianwellskissimmeevil- las.co.uk THE NEW FOREST DEVON/CORNWALL TRADITIONAL Victorian farmhouse with uninterrupted views, access to Forest, trail- way for cycling, walking, horse riding. Swimming pool (heated). Tel/fax 01425-472 115 or visit our website www.interneton- line.co.uk/ holidays/49375246.html NORTH CORNWALL Comfortable cottages on ancient Moorland farmstead. Seven miles from Tintagel. Coarse fishing, superb walking, scenery. Pets welcome. 01208 850674 or www.eastrose.co.uk AIRPORT PARKING AIRPORT CAR PARKING. 5% additional discount for RMT members www.flypark.co.uk/discount 0870 733 0545. Get a quote and see savings TOBAGO - 4 bedroom en- suite self-catering family holi- day home. View of ocean. £500pw. Sleeps 6. Maid ser- vice. 020 7358 0575 or 07956 916682. DISCOUNT HOLIDAY ITEMS. Family Annual Worlwide Travel Insurance only £72.75 plus more. Tel: 0870 4607806 quote RMT. Airport parking throughout the UK up to 60% discount and commission free travel money selivered to your door. Tel 0870 8444042 and quote WZ587. Visit our website for Buy On Line items: Annual Travel Insurance from £38, Super Deal Holidays and all as shown above. www.benefits.co.uk CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING To advertise contact Elaine Smith at Landmark Publishing Services Telephone: 020 7692 9292 Merchant Navy veterans who delivered supplies to the Soviet Union allies in dreadful conditions during World War II, marched in London last month to demand an Arctic Star medal. About 200 survivors of the Arctic convoys delivered a 44,000-signature petition to Downing Street. Thousands died in freezing conditions and under heavy fire from the Luftwaffe, keeping the supply lines open to the Eastern front against the Nazi menace. The Ministry of Defence claims that service on the convoys is covered by the Atlantic Star medal, which covers all those who served. But veterans backed by MPs of all parties point out the enormous sacrifice made by those on the Arctic runs deserves a separate campaign medal like those for the Pacific and Burmese campaigns. Campaign organiser Eddie Grenfell, (pictured right) said that some were awarded a medal for just one day’s service, while convoy veterans got nothing. “It’s an injustice and we are fighting against it,” he said. In 2002, Russian ambassador Grigory Karasin presented Arctic veterans with medals for bravery. Jim Kerr, who served on the destroyer HMS Venus, said that Tony Blair should give a medal to surviving veterans and in memory of the people who did not come back. “It’s our last chance,’’ he said. War heroes march on Downing Street RMT CAMPAIGNS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE POLITICAL FUND Book review 29