Basque delegation ends successful tour
By Eoin O'Broin
The Basque international solidarity organisation Askapena, has
completed its annual delegation to Ireland. The group included
young people from across the Basque country bringing in cities
like Bilbo, Donostia, Irrunea, in the Spanish state and Bayona in
the French state and many villages across the whole country and
they were in Ireland from 3 - 25 August. Focusing mainly on
youth, the annual delegation sets out to provide delegates with a
view of the political situation in Ireland.
The itinerary began on 4 August in Belfast with a political brief
from Sinn Féin councellor Micheal Browne on the latest
developments in the peace process. The briefing was also attended
by ex-POW and new West Belfast councillor Martin Livingstone.
In the afternoon the delegation met with West Belfast Festival
director Catriona Ruane, who outlined the history and politics of
the festivals which have sprung up across the country over the
last 10 years.
Other Belfast events included visits to Long Kesh and Maghaberry,
briefings from community groups including Upper Springfield
Development Trust and participation in the festivals themselves
through a series of Basque political and cultural days and a
special radio programme on Triple FM. The Basque delegation on
the anti-internment march to Belfast City Hall on 10 August was
probably the largest to date, complete with flags and Basque
language chants.
The delegation also traveled across the Six Counties, staying
with republicans in Newry, Coalisland and Derry. In Newry they
were given a civic reception hosted by Newry and Mourne Council.
Local councillor Davy Hyland and Charlie Casey, chair of Newry
Sinn Féin accompanied them on a guided tour of Newry, North Louth
and South Armagh. Their host in Coalisland was Councillor Francie
Molloy. In Derry they met with representatives of the Bogside
Residents Group and the Pat Finucane Centre. At each venue the
Basques held a Basque day complete with food, wine, music and
politics. In Newry they even found time to have a lesson in céili
dancing.
After Derry the delegation moved on to Dublin where Micheál
MacDonncha conducted a tour of historical sites including
Kilmanham jail. The delegation also received a political briefing
from Dublin Sinn Féin activist Daithi Doolan.
Other engagements included a meeting with plastic bullet survivor
Emma Groves and Emma Reilly from the United Campaign Against
Plastic Bullets.
Speaking to An Phoblacht delegate Idoia Elorriaga said that ``of
all the week's events the briefing with Sinn Fein councillors was
one of the most interesting. In the Basque country we receive
only fragments of information, but Micheal Browne put all those
fragments into context, he explained the wider picture''.
Elorriaga also welcomed the opportunity to access ``real
information, such as why the 1994 ceasefire ended and how the
situation is now''.
Herri Batasuna activist Izaskun Larrieta, from Bilbao spoke of
her visit to Maghaberry. ``I visit Basque political prisoners
regularly in the Spanish state. It's very important to tell the
prisoners what's going on with the struggle in the Basque
country. But to listen to them is just as important''.
Both women mentioned the Just Us play Bin Lids as the highlight
of their trip. ``For people from another country the play is a
historical landmine. But also the visual aspect of the play is
wonderful, as is the acting,'' said Elorriaga.
The Askapena delegation returned to the Basque country earlier
this week and as with every other year, a range of activities are
otrganised as follow up work to the visit such as slide shows and
public discussions.
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