2 July 1998 Edition
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.''
Another 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.
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.''
Another 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.