Friends and colleagues, it's an honour and indeed a very special privilege for me to be invited here today to speak at the unveiling of this plaque, a monument, simple in design, but which states quite clearly, that these men have not been forgotten by their friends and comrades. It's a proud moment for me to speak here, as we gather to commemorate these two fine, courageous Republican Socialists who died so that the Republican Socialist Movement could live.

Like many here today, I personally did not know Vol. Hugh Ferguson and Comrade Hugh O Neill. I do feel as if I know something of their motivation and politics, I am indebted to them because they died so that I, and each of us gathered here, had the basic right to be a Republican Socialist. These men were our comrades and our brothers; let us draw strength from their courage.

We are left however, with the legacy of losing our comrades, but our pain, our sense of loss, is nothing in comparison to the pain of their families, they have been left to pick up the pieces, often alone. I have no wish to be negative and point out our past failures in respect of the families of our dead, what I will say is this, our Movement needs to become a place of solace, a friend that they can turn to in times of despair and need.

I can honestly say that when I visit Belfast these days I am proud to witness our Movement going from strength to strength in all departments, I am proud to see comrades playing a pivotal role in defense of the people of North Belfast and Short Strand, equally and just as importantly, I am proud to see comrades putting in place, measures and initiatives which will help address the hurt and pain which exists within the Republican Socialist community.

28 years is a long time and the world has changed in many ways, much has stayed the same, we are stilled ruled by the British, the format may be different and the political landscape may have changed, but the core fact remains, Britain still control our country, we live in confusing times, but let us be clear about one thing, British imperialism still rules over us.

Our brand of Republicanism Socialism is based on the core belief that the freedom of the people will be won by the people themselves, and not by others acting on their behalf. It was the way of Connolly, Mellows and Costello; it was the way of Hugh Ferguson and Hugh O Neill. There are times when the people have had to band together to militarily fight for that which will not be conceded by peaceful means, that is exactly why the INLA was formed, to seize a freedom that the British would not, and still do not, concede.

Whilst our methods may change and alter, our commitment to the freedom of our country and of our class will never diminish. The INLA and the IRSP have not, and will not, go away until the objective of a socialist republic is achieved.

In the past others have disagreed with our methods and policies, they militarily attacked the newly formed Republican Socialist Movement. In the resulting disagreements good comrades were lost and this Movement was nearly wiped out. Nearly, but not quite, it was due to the sacrifices of men like Hugh Ferguson and Hugh O Neill. In its greatest hour of need, time and time again, the Volunteers and comrades of the Belfast Brigade of the INLA have rescued this Movement. It is due to their bravery that the candle of Republican Socialism is burning brighter than ever.

I do not believe we should relive the quarrels of the past, especially when those quarrels were between former comrades and fellow republicans. We in the nationalist and republican communities have known too much suffering, too much inter-republican feuding which has resulted in the deaths of over fifty people, young and old. It is a shame that republicanism has inflicted so much pain on its own people. No one Republican organization holds the high moral ground in this regard. We are all guilty.

In this area, an area which has seen so much suffering and pain, so much brother against brother, comrade against comrade, I would appeal that never again will republican kill republican. It is wrong, it is against the interests of the Irish People and what's more, it is doing the work of our enemies. Regardless of what the difference of opinion is, let us vow that never again will we resolve those differences by killing each other. Let us not forget that this country is still ruled by British Imperialism, albeit in ever changing guises. British imperialism is our enemy, that is who benefits when Republican differences spill over to bloodshed and the deaths of former comrades. Regardless of the strategy each of us take in pursuit of freedom, regardless of the difference of opinion, let us always treat each other with respect, dignity and with comradeship.

Whatever disagreements we all have, whatever quarrels that may arise within the various Republican traditions, be warned friends and comrades, that those who would turn such disagreements into armed confrontations, are in effect doing the work of our enemy, British Imperialism. Let us as Republican Socialists heal, where possible, the divisions of the past; let us draw a line in the sand and embrace each other as comrades; let us build the Republican Socialist Movement that our fallen comrades died in defense of.

Just as 28 years ago republicans were influenced by worldwide events, such as the struggles in Chile and Palestine, those of us from the Republican left tradition are greatly influenced by events oversees. Watching the pursuit of oil and world dominance by the Imperialism of Bush and Blair, whilst at the same time being told that the expected deaths of half a million Iraqi civilians is all for their own good is indeed sickening. Therefore I was heartened and I was proud to see the banners of the IRSP and of other republican organizations at the recent anti-war marches in Belfast and Dublin. We have no time for Saddam, he is a vicious militarily dictator, armed by fellow terrorists in the form of the United States, a man who suppressed the Kurds, killing them in thousands, denying their rights to self determination, all, with the blessing of the worlds policeman, America. We stand by the ordinary people of Iraq in resistance to Anglo American Imperialism.

As citizens whose country has been ruled, divided and whose natural development has been stunted over the centuries, we can do no other than oppose Imperialism worldwide. Given the experience of Ireland, we can be certain that the Republican Socialists we honour here today, would have stood on the right side of the barricade.

They stood for the liberation of the Irish working class, which was then a noble goal. It still is today.

Times change, memories fade but this plaque on this wall is a testimony to the courage, determination and politics of two fine comrades.

Their sacrifice inspires us; their memory will always live in our hearts. Vol. Hugh Ferguson and Comrade Hugh O Neill, we salute you. We will never forget.

STATEMENTS ENDS