We pubish below an interview with a British soldier who deserted ruther than be part of British imperialism's war of occupation against the irish people. For security reasois, his name has had to remain anonymous At what stage did you first become disillusioned with army life?
Well, it started off last summer when we began what designed especially for service in ireland. I just didn't think it was right the way that these wore being carried out.
What surt of things were being done that revolted you? The things that we were taught to do and say whilst father wat a bastard and "interrogating" like telling thom that their tard and their mother was a prostitute, and some of the less subtle things like standing them up against a wall upon toes and finger-tips with a sack over their beads, while throwing huckets of water over thom, punching them in the ribs and going over them with a scrubbing brush. This was in addition to all the muggings and beating up and general intimidation of the populstion.
How do you view the objective mole of the army in the north of Ireland?
I just don't think that what the army is doing is right. It's oot going to help anybody at all 1 certainly support the right of the irish people to sort out their wwn affairs without any interference from anybody, oconsary. At present this means supporting the I.R.A. Can you see any clear signs of géneral demoralisation within the army!
Yes, certainly. This is illustrated in the amount of mindless discipline being inflicted upon troops during pointless things like being put on a charge and fined if so much as a speck of dust is found near your bed during inspoction, gerone prson sontences for all sorts of silly things, not being able lo spoak or think for yoursell. You were a number more than a person, It's a fos of brainwashine Two men from my anit deserted at the same time as me. They were fed up with this sort of Incalment. Abu there have been several cases ol' attempted suicide in E19 0855Do you foresee the possibility of the army heing used against workers in struggle in this country? Yes I do. I'm sure that if a revolutionary situation were to come about, they would try to use troops against British workers.
Have you come into contact with anybody who is thinking about deserting from the army soomer than serve in roland?
-I only joined for the geeing, erchery, cenoeing and soccer.
Quite a few people have said they would. I think at or scared of what would happen to them if they go will take theit fate into their ou'n hands and follow my example.
CONFERENCE
THE BRITISH LABOUR MOVEMENT AND THE BRITISH ARMY IN IRELAND Conway Hall Red Lion Square, (Holborn).
Saturday, 19th May 1973.
Details from Anti-Internment League, 88, Roslyn Road. London N.J5. Four British soldiers recened four-month sus pended sentences in the north of Ireland re cently for an attack on a power station worker whose injuries had required five days hospital treatment, the Prisoners Aid Committee reports in its April bulletin.
The committee also reports that seven British soldiers found guilty of stealing goods worth several hundred pounds were given threemonth suspended juil sentences by Belfast mag istrates on 23 March.
The bulletin adds that three paratroopers were fined at the same court for a series of burglaries. and quotes an army private as saying in court: *Everyone knows that our blokes have been doing jobs. Asked if this meant that members of his regiment were stealing he said: "Yes. everyone knows what has beeo going on'.
3rd Conference of Radical Scholars of Soviet and East European Studies 4-6 May, Birmingham University Union, on • THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT May 4(7.30): Marx and the dietarohip of the May 5(101 : Dictetorship of the promariat in the travuitional period (1917-21)C. Goodie, A. Holt. 12 : Bunaucracy and the Party in the Twenties-P. Ivanov. (71 Free discussion and social, May 5(10) : How to fight empiricism in Soviet studies -H. H. Ticktin. - (21 : WORKSHOPS For information, accommodation and creche:
CRSSEES, c/o Lucas House, Pritchatts Rd., Edgbaston, Birmingham.