THE American consul has agreed to meet the Orange Order to address the suggestion by Orangemen that the US authorities are somehow responsible for the ability of the IRA to access so many weapons from the US. As a result of this the Orange Order argues that the US has zero credibility in expressing opposition to terrorism.
It is hypocritical for the Orange Order to imply that the US government is in anyway responsible for the IRA procuring weapons. Actually, it was the gun-running activities of the Orange Order which acted as a catalyst for the IRA to become engaged in the purchase of guns.
With scant respect for legal constraints and the democratic process, under the leadership of Orange veteran Mayor Fred Crawford, 24,000 rifles and 3,000,000 rounds of ammunition were purchased in Germany and landed at Larne harbour by Orange terrorists opposed to home Rule for Ireland.
It has been argued that Orangeism was a midwife, albeit an unwitting one, at the birth of the IRA. It was strange, given the reputation of British military intelligence, that the entire Orange gun-running operation was carried out without a serious hitch and without a single arrest.
Was the failure to frustrate the Orange gun-running escapade and arrest the ringleaders due to the machinations of right-wing Tory die-hards, whose priority was the destiny of the Empire rather than parliamentary democracy?
Perhaps the Orange Order can enlighten the American consul.
Since its inception in 1795, the Orange Order has frequently demonstrated its preparedness to engage in sectarian violence and defy legitimate authority.
At Drumcree, the Orange Order staged a full-scale revolt against the forces of law and order. It was one of the most sinister events in the recent history of the state, which cost at least £100m and an inestimatable loss in business, trade and tourism.
After viewing Orange marches, a former special American envoy to Northern Ireland, Dr Michael Reiss, claimed that these marches were designed to "provoke, intimidate and champion superiority". Hopefully, when the Orange Order meets with the American consul, the Order's grand secretary, Drew Nelson, will explain to him the reasons why British governments have failed to outlaw the Orange Order and tolerated Orange terrorism over the last 200 years.
PATRICK McPARLAND
Belfast BT12
