Jarrai speaks of close ties with SFY
by Michael Pierse
The leader of a Basque youth delegation to Ireland, Ana
Lizarralde, spoke this week in an interview with An Phoblacht of
the growing ties between Jarrai (their youth movement) and Sinn
Féin Youth.
``It is clear that there are some differences - culture, peoples,''
she said but emphasised the important similarites underlying both
movements: ``the imposition of a foreign state on our peoples and
the denial of the most important rights - freedom, human rights,
justice.'' She also referred to the ``similarity of the commitment''
of our peoples and committed Jarrai, which is now twenty years in
existence, to aiding in every way possible the much younger SFY.
The advantages of interaction between both movements, she said,
could not be overestimated. ``We have learned to share different
political lectures and see some similar problems from a different
point of view,'' she asserted. This ability to come at
difficulties from alternative angles would be advantageous to
all. ``The first and most important step is to make young people
aware of collective problems which must be responded to
collectively.''
Informing young people of the real problems which are not
conveyed through the mass media is also a key to success. ``There
are some important steps [which SFY could take], such as giving
direct information without any censorship about the real
situation and the position SFY takes.''
other vital aspect of Jarrai is their mixture of politics with
enjoyable youth activities. Two alternating biennial events are
the Youth Encounter, a national camping event attracting over
20,000 people and the Mountain March on the Pyrénnes ``to denounce
the partition of our country in a practical way'' while, she said,
involving ``direct contact with the environment and excluding
ourselves from the system.'' However, Ana commented, ``the most
important work is the daily work.''
She concluded, on behalf of the delegation, that ``we would like
to thank SFY for their friendship and ask the Irish people in
general to put pressure on the Spanish state for Basque
independence.''
Deirdre Feehan adds:
The five-strong Jarrai delegation will be in Ireland from 28 June
to 7 July.
Jarrai's main objectives are to achieve independence and
socialism for Euskal Herria (the Basque Country) but they are
also concerned with other issues which affect young people such
as free education, the Basque language, free time,
anti-consumerism, living conditions, Spanish military
conscription, state militarism and police repression.
A spokesperson for Jarrai Josetxo Otegi said ``We do not believe
that the Spanish or French governments will solve these many
problems, so it is up to young Basques to do it for themeselves.
Equally importantly, society must listen to the voices of young
people. Jarrai sees its role as providing young people with a
vehicle to be heard and create change.''
The main focus of the trip is to allow Jarrai to make a youth
orientated analysis of the Irish peace process to see if there
are lessons to be learned for the ongoing conflict in Euskal
Herria.
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