IRA charity
From Dr C. B. Goodhart Sir: The IRA evidently does not lack money to buy arms and explosives for use in Ulster. Probably some of it comes from America, often perhaps subscribed for what may look like genuinely charitable purposes, by people who would be horrified if they knew how it was really used. Since Senator Edward Kennedy is a rich man who has made no secret of his sympathy with the Republican cause, if he now wants to advise those who have the heavy responsibility for ending the present tragic situation ought he not to reveal the full extent of his own commitment in the quarrel? How much money has he in fact given, directly or indirectly, to what people and organisations in Ireland, and for what purposes does he suppose it to have been used? Or can he offer an assurance, as a man of honour, that financially he himself has in no way been involved with the affairs of Ulster?
C. B. Goodhart Goriville and Caius College, Cambridge
Sir: Whilst I entirely agree with your leading article on Ireland and your observations on Senator Kennedy (March 4) I would remind you of a remark made, somewhat ironically as it transpired, by Oscar Wilde, an Irishman, that "It is not what is said about you that matters but who says it." The Senator from Chappaquiddick is the son of one of America's .worst Ambassadors to this country who became an enemy of Britain who kicked him out. He is not really concerned with the problems of the Irish but with the problems of becoming President of the United States with the aid of the Irish Catholic vote in four years' time.
Previous page
