BASQUE REFRENDUM BILL APPROVED

BASQUE REFRENDUM BILL APPROVED

The Basque Government has voted in favour of a referendum bill introduced by Basque President Juan José Ibarretxe last month.

A majority of just one was enough to give the President the power to hold the first part of a referendum on 25th October 2008. The referendumwill ask two questions, the first of which will ask if people arein favour of a "negotiated solution' to the ETA 'conflict' if the armed group end its violence.

The second question, which will be put to a second referendum asks if all Basque political parties should work toward an agreement on what it calls the Basques 'right to decidetheir future'.The Bill was passed by 34 votes to 33, with 7 abstentions and one non attendance. The one vote deciding vote came from the Basque CommunistParty (Euskal Herrialdeetako Alderdi Komunista - EHAK). The EHAK decidedlast week to give their limited support to the bill, despite having been given the cold shoulder by Ibarretxe earlier on in the year when their party was looking at a possible ban by the Spanish state.
However, the referendum bill has not been without its critics. Insidethe Basque socialist/nationalist movement the bill has been criticized,among other things, for not going far enough, being too complicatedand only applying to the three out of the historical seven provinces the Basque Country - Biscay, Alava, and Gipuzkoa. Labourd, Lower Navarre,Soule (in the state of France) and Navarre (now an autonomous region in the state of Spain), will not be included in the referendum vote.The bill has also been heavily criticised by Basque socialist party(PSE-EE) and the Popular Party (PP). The PSE-EE has said repeatedlythat if the bill was passed by the Basque Government, they would seek a court order to prevent the referendum going ahead on the argument that the bill is unconstitutional. Ibarretxe has said in the past that he wants a future Basque country 'freely associated' with Spain,with its own separate legal system and European Union representation.In 2005 the Spanish Foreign Policy Minister said that this could not happen under an EU Constitution – perhaps one of the reasons why the Spanish Government are still so eager to push forward the Lisbon Treaty today, despite the Irish NO vote.President Juan José Ibarretxe's blog: http://www.ibarretxe.com/bitacora

BASQUE PEOPLE WE SAY UNITE AND GO FOR INDEPENDENCE ! BE BRAVE AS SCOTLAND WILL AGAINST THE BASTARD ENGLISH IN 2010 !

Blood drips from the English bastards hands

Blood drips from the English hands in Ireland; May the English bastards burn in hell !

CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION

DUBLIN BOMBING SECRETS - JUST A COMPUTER CLICK AWAY FROM MARYFIELD SPY HQ

"The best possible responses to the tragedies of the past is to ensurethey can never happen again".
This comment was made in the Dail recently by An Taoiseach, BrianCowen, when responding to queries from Deputies about collusion bythe British government in atrocities such as the Dublin and Monaghanbombings.
The comment is contained as part of documentation provided by theOffice of the Taoiseach in reply to a query from the Celtic Leaguein May of this year. See link at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2631
Obviously, the Celtic League welcome the response from the Taoiseach'sOffice on this matter.
However, whilst the information supplied in relation to the Governmentsposition is comprehensive sadly it reinforces our view that the Irishgovernment wishes to continue a process of cover-up which has deniedjustice for so long to those who were killed and maimed and the relativeswho have campainged.
Perhaps what is most ironic about the current situation is that withinthe past twelve months the same British Intelligence Services, whose hands many believe are dripping with the blood of those murdered in Dublin and Monaghan, have commissioned a new facility in the Northof Ireland (at Maryfield, Holywood, Belfast.
Files critical to understanding the rationale behind the bombing atrocityand the identities of those in British Intellegence who helped perpetrate it are just a computer click away. But nobody in the Maryfield complex is talking and, more significantly, no one in the Taoiseachs Office is asking.
Related articles on Celtic News at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2267http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2181http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2122http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2104
J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League
28/06/08
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It worksto promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on abroad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlightshuman rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses onsocio-economic issues.
TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609
Internet site at:
http://celticleague.nethttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

Mike Chappell well known Cornish Campaigner takes well deserved rest

Mike Chappell well known Cornish Campaigner takes well deserved rest
by ThomasGraham

On 12th June, 2008 and at the new Hospital de Torrevieja de Valencia and following a suicide attempt, former Cornwall/Kernow Celtic League Branch Secretary,Celtic Congress Member, Republican writer and poet and animal rights campaigner, Mike Chappell, 50 years,was diagnosed with severe post traumatic stress disorder arising from seeing persons burn to death and then the discovery of a multiple infant deaths coupled with ritualistic murders during his long and highly decorated police career.

This longstanding illness, previously untreated, has recently been complicated by divorce proceedings brought about by his commitment to the Cornish cause.

Death threats and abuse arising from that commitment and so on proved too much for his marriage to endure. One of Europe's finest Trauma specialists, Doctor C. RICHEZ who has a private clinic in Pedro Lorca, Torrevieja, Valencia has arranged for Mike who is heavily medicated, to spend time in a private clinic in La Manga, Murcia away from all contact with the outside world for the forseeable future.The La Manga Clinic has been used by celebrities such is its success rate.

Mike is being visited on a regular basis by his friend, Reverend Dr. Joel Gonzalez Garcia from Cuba, an outspoken Evangelist preacher who has come to respect and admire Mike's rigid Methodist views.

Mike is described as 'utterly devasatated at his wife's request for divorce' and says'no matter what any lawyer or court on earth says, she will always be my wife, recognised by God and our marriage can be put asunder by no man. My vow was before God the Almighty and when I make such a vow, it is until death. She makes her own decision here but the time will come when she will have to answer for her actions in Heaven before the Almighty as we all shall. I shall never crave another woman ever. She was, is and ever shall be my wife.That is the Cornish way. That is the Methodist way.'

Mike values loyalty above all things. He gives it absolutely and he expects it in return. He reads the bible nightly and will doubtless find a passage there which relates to it. Once breached, he rarely leaves a stone unturned to bring those who have been unloyal to book.
For that reason, he virtually worships 'Cornubia - Land of the Saints' by John Miller and a print of it decorates his Bible. Cornwall is such he says, ' a land of the saints and fit only for the Saints. All else will burn in the pit of damnation.'

Mike came to note as a Republican many years ago when as a young policeman, he clambered down a cliff to rescue a holiday maker who had fallen whilst trying to rescue an expensive pair of sunglasses. Breaking his own leg in the process but heaving the holiday maker over his shoulder and climbing back up the 120 feet, a subsequent operation required 14 steel pins to rebuild his smashed left leg. He was awarded a Royal Humane Society Award for Bravery and invited to Buckingham Palace to collect the award.

He accepted the invitation on the grounds of nosiness wishing to see how the other half lived and turned up casually dressed much to the horror of the Palace staff. The conversation ran thus:

Prince Phillip: You've come a long way today ?

Michael : From Cornwall. I doubt you've ever heard of it. It is a long way for a piece of paper and a slice of Lyons Swiss Roll (which he had on a bone china plate held in in hand)

Prince Phillip: How do you feel being in the presence of Royalty ?

Michael: How do you feel being in my presence? If I had my way you lot would be given a council house and made to work for your living.

Exit stage left Prince Phillip. Exit stage right Michael's promotion prospects!

Another amusing yarn occurred during the so called 'Loving Cup of St George' protest in Truro when Royal band wagon member, Bruno Peek who holds a list of Royal Orders and Decorations brought an icon of England's St George to Cornwall, a Celtic Nation, something he dare not do in Scotland or Wales. Faced up by Mike Chappell, Peek started to quote the Bible. This was not a wise move for Mike was brought up a primitive Wesleyan Methodist - Chapel three times a day on Sunday, no alcohol and bible lessons in the Temperence Hall during the week and who virtually knows the good book back to front and upside down as well. Needless to say, Peek looked decidedly peaky !

Mike wishes his friends, particularly those in the Celtic League around Britain his very best wishes and particularly Iwan le Moine, Tony Leamon - who faces severe problems of his own with quite incredible bravery and dignity - and Sue Bowen in Cornwall as well as John Angarrack, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, Dr Alan Kent and others. He kneels at his bedside and prays every day and will certainly be praying for them all.

The British Consul in Alicante and the Chief of the local Guardia Civil have also been in touch with Mike to offer their best wishes as have former close colleagues from around the world including a former head of Special Branch. His outspokeness has made him many enemies but he has always had money for the needy and the hungry and for stray dogs. Strangely, his outspokeness has also made him many friends amongst what is broadly called 'the establishment'.

He assures those who depend on him for what have become known as his special 'red cross' or as he calls them 'white cross' (after Saint Piran of Cornwall to whom he also prays) parcels that these will continue and that the necessary arrangements have been made with his bank.

Response One :

**Mike - my special pal - I was the IRA man - you were the Copper BUT you never, ever condemned me or my beliefs just my killing ways. Now I write or should I say 'lap top' and we have become buddies. You always have a home here. I know you want for Kernow what I want for all 32 counties of Eire and that made us brothers. Get better slowly, comrade and then come to see me. We can talk about what makes your blue Celtic eyes sparkle and flame - politics !
In solidarity, Tom.**


Response Two:
Maireid Sullivan
at 02:55 on June 23rd, 2008 good stuff:
ThomasGraham, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Response Three:
ThomasGraham, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Response Four:
Thanks Maireid - I'll pass on your thoughts and prayers to Mike. His own Cornish seem to reject him but we shall make him an honorary Irishman and embrace him. He is a true Celt. Kind, tempramental, deep, moody, fun. He has worked hard to bring Irish PoW's home particularly Noel Maguire, he loves the 32CSM with a passion as he does his animals, and he is, or was, always good for an arguement and good craic.

Tony Leamon - Kernow/Cornwall's Michael Collins shows bravery in the face of the Imperial & Colonial Police

This just in from the Tony Leamon support group. A direct and very dignified message from Mr Leamon himself:

"My temperament is a lot better these day because I think the police are finally showing how weak their case is. I am almost looking forward to my next bail hearing on July 2nd.

Of course this is still affecting me and my family. My father,94, is still terrified of the police at the door. In my entire life I do not remember the police having to knock on our front door in anger.

My mother, who is slowly recovering from her bi lateral mastectomy, is keeping a brave face on all this, as all mothers do.

One thing that has given us all strength is the support I have received from complete strangers. Everything from people who recognise me in the street, to emails from other continents. Every time I type my name into Google, and see all the hits, my heat soars. Not just for me, but for all of the little people who fall foul of the state.

I answer my bail on Wednesday, July 2nd, at 3pm. I'm going to Camborne Police Station again. I have spoken to the West Briton, our local paper, and they hope to have a reporter present. I ask that anyone who can make it stands outside the police station, with a Cornish flag, Do so politely, and with the dignity we all have. If you cannot make it, give them a ring, stating it is non urgent, and then state you are enquiring about the progress of Mr Leamon's case.

Please do not use any aggression, or intimidation with them. They are only doing their job.

I thank all my friends, from all over the world who are giving me their support.

Kernow Bys Vyken - Cornwall forever !"

The whole world will know about the plight of Celtic Cornish campaigner, Tony Leamon, who has fallen foul of the Colonial Police in Kernow and dropped into a kind of 'Catch 22' situation. The whole world except Kernow itself, that is, where there is a press & media ban in place on the whole rotton affair.

Well there is now a 'You Tube' film let on the matter to be found at:

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=OIvwoEV4gOo

Good Luck Tony Leamon. The world watches while the Colonial Police and their masters inflict misery. One day the press in Kernow will have the guts to reveal what is happening !

US IRA Men Call For Legal Status

FREEDOM FOR ALL PRISONERS OF WAR WHETHER STILL SERVING OR IN THE US !

US IRA Men Call For Legal Status

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irish-voice/news/Articles/us-ira-men290508.aspx
U.S. IRA Men Call for Legal Status

By Cahir O'Doherty
A GROUP of former IRA prisoners living in the U.S. haslaunched a campaign to secure their legal status here.

The organization, Thar Saile (Irish for "overseas"), is made up of former prisoners, many of whom have faced deportation while living, working and raising families in the U.S. for decades.

Many are married to American wives and are the fathers of American-born children.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton announced that deportation proceedings against the former IRA prisoners would be halted and they would move into "deferred action" status.Although the action was hailed at the time as tangible result of the peace process in Northern Ireland, the men's legal status in the U.S. has yet to be finally resolved.

Currently the former prisoners cannot travel to Ireland to visit family. They must also constantly renew their work permits over a period of months on an ongoing basis,frequently jeopardizing their employment in the process.

Irish American Unity Conference (IAUC) president Kate McCabe told the Irish Voice, "The position of our organization is that the U.S. government's position toward this group of people is out of step with its entire policy toward the Irish peace process. Martin McGuinness has been to the White House on a number of occasions to meet withPresident Bush, so it doesn't make sense that they're targeting this group of men."

Last week the IAUC released a document entitled "Prisoners of Peace," making the case that the reintegration of former prisoners is a first and critical step in any peace process. In Northern Ireland, they point out, former prisoners are holding elected office and working together to build a new society. Only in the U.S. is their status still unresolved.

"It's anachronistic that these men are being targeted.Although no formal deportation orders have been filed against them - with the exception of Pól Brennan who iscurrently jailed in Texas - most of these men have to renewtheir work permits every 60 to 90 days, which then takes a further month to process," McCabe said.

"Trying to keep a secure job is made difficult when you know you have to renew your work permit constantly like this. We feel it's harassment."

The objective of Thar Saile is to end the uncertainty for the former IRA prisoners and their families by providing them with a permanent legal status and the right to live,work and travel here and abroad unencumbered.

This week Thar Saile has promised to launch a broad-based education and communication campaign around this issue,working with their supporters around the U.S. to bring this issue to the attention of all major political candidates.

Images from Cornwall - Kernow

We receive many e-mails in the course of a day. Some contain poignant photographs and some of them sent from Kernow can be seen here. All along, we sense that there is growing ill feeling in that Nation against the English Imperialist Oppressors and although the Cornish are frequently mocked by the Anglo bastards, we wonder how much longer that is to be the case ? From small beginnings and despite constant harrassment from the Colonial Police, Cornish freedom fighters seem to be moving forward. Grafitti is good for publicity and some can be seen in the photographs. One photograph appears to show a freedom fighter with a very modern looking firearm.
Many have described the 'Cornish Question' as a festering boil on the backside of English Imperialism - perhaps that boil is now festering and may soon break.
We send much Celtic Solidarity from across the Celtic Sea to our brothers in Kernow.