Ex-servicemen launch attack on internment

FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
THE Catholic. Ex-Servicemen's Association in Northern Ireland has taken Mr. Faulkner to task on the internment issue. There are, in fact, 14 of their members interned in the Long Kesh Camp.
The Association claims that recently the Special Branch of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has been lifting innocent people from Catholic areas for interrogation, and this applies in particular to Association members, The men in question, it is alleged, have been asked to give details of the Association, and have been questioned on arms, and on statements made by the Association regarding the defence of the community.
They add; "the policy of the Catholic Ex-Servicemen's Association is crystal clear. In the event of an attack upon the minority areas, the Catholic ex-servicemen will defend the areas and the people who live there to the best of their ability, and will accept arms in order of priority, which we consider we are legally entitled to do.
"Firstly from the British Army; secondly from our second guarantor (the Irish Republic) and thirdly from any source. It is every man's right to defend his home and his community if attacked."
The Association claims that the government of Mr. Faulkner has lost all credibility with the Catholic community, particularly the working class community.
The Association points out that it is not a political organisation and does not support any party. So there is no reason why any member should be treated any differently from a member of the British Legion or any other war veterans' organisation.
The Catholic Ex-Servicemen are to parade in Belfast on November 14 to lay a wreath at the City Hall cenotaph following Mass in St, Patrick's pro-Cathedral. The statement concluded that it was up to every Catholic ex-serviceman to show his abhorrence of Fascist tactics, which he fought against in the last war, by striving to bring internment to an end.