An incipient peace process is unfolding in the Basque Country. The cornerstone of this process was ETA's declaration of a ceasefire on 22 March 2006. This Sunday, the Basque daily GARA published an interview with two spokespeople from the Basque pro-independence organisation. We carry here an extract from that interview. Free article

Tensions between the UDA and the notorious Shourki brothers have heightened after reports that Andre Shoukri extorted up to £20,000 of peace funding to feed his gambling habit. Accrording to reports, the money was raised for a, 'community house' in the Westland Estate, North Belfast through Martin McAleese the husband of President Mary McAleese. Free article

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More controversy has surrounded the appointment of two Orangemen to the Six County Parades Commiss-ion as a legal challenge to the move continued this week. It emerged on Monday 15 May that former Portadown Orange Lodge Grand Master, David Burrows, used former president of the Methodist Church of Ireland, Jim Rea, as a referee without his knowledge. Free article

Tá sé anois ocht mbliana ó a tháinig lucht réabhlóide i gcumhacht i Veiniséala agus Hugo Chavez mar cheannaire acu. Ní amháin gur cur i gcoinne do lucht maoine agus d'aicme shaibhir na tíre sin, ach cur i gcoinne é freisin don chóras nua-liobarálach domhanda atá curtha i bhfeidhm, a bheag nó a mhór, ar mhuintir na Cruinne ag na Stáit Aontaithe. Masla dar leis na Meiriceánaigh go bhfuil a leithéid i gcumhacht áit ar bith, ach go háirithe i dtír a sholáthraíonn 25% de riachtanais ola na Méiriceánach. Free article

Sinn Féin's Davy Hyland, speaking after British Ministry of Defence minister Adam Ingram announced on Wednesday 10 May that three British army bases in the North will close within two years, said that the timetable for British demilitarisation was not progressing with the speed promised by Tony Blair's government. Free article

Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor, Daithí Doolan called on Justice Minister Michael McDowell to intervene to find a resolution to a hunger and thirst strike by Afghans in St. Patrick's Cathedral seeking refugee status. Free article

Sinn Fein's newly formed Belfast Trade Union Department last weekend commemorated the 90th anniversary of the execution of 1916 leader James Connolly. On Friday 12 May local Sinn Féin activists joined with other republican socialists for a commeorative ceremony at the house where Connolly lived in Belfast. Jim McVeigh chaired the proceedings while local MLA Fra McCann spoke about Connolly's legacy. Free article

There was deep sadness in the Greater Shantallow Area last Monday when a large crowd attended the funeral of lifelong republican Eamon 'Lefty' Kelly to Derry city cemetery. Free article

The week's news in brief Free article