Derry Journal
Irish could broker end to Turkish hungerstrike
THE IRISH Government has been urged to become a broker in any future negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing hungerstrike in Turkey.
The IRSP has submitted a set of proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock in the hungerstrike which has already claimed the lives of dozens of male and female protesters.
by Eamonn Houston

THE IRISH Government has been urged to become a broker in any future negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing hungerstrike in Turkey.

The IRSP has submitted a set of proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock in the hungerstrike which has already claimed the lives of dozens of male and female protesters. by Eamonn Houston

It has been revealed that the Turkish deathfasters will agree to enter negotiations with the Turkish authorities if the IRSP and Irish government are involved in a mediation process.

A letter from the IRSP detailing approaches to the problem has been sent to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. Representatives of the IRSP are concerned that the current US led world-wide 'War on Terror' may colour judgement of the left-wing militants on a fast to the death in areas around Istanbul.

A spokesman said that the prisoners are not fundamentalists and many have not been involved in any terrorist activities. The hungerstrikers are protesting against F-type isolation prisons in the country. Their demands have been consistently dismissed by the Turkish government.

The Irish government has yet to respond to the proposals submitted by the IRSP. Last month, Michael Devine the son of the Derry INLA hungerstriker travelled to Turkey to see the death fast prisoners.

IRSP International spokesman, Derryman Terry Harkin said that the Irish government should respond positively to the proposals and enter a mediation process as an international broker.

"People are dying in Turkish prisoners and all they have ever done is hand out leaflets or make speeches. In the current climate it is important to stress this - Osama bin Laden would hate these people in the same way he hates Americans.

"The 2001 Turkish hungerstrike will be remembered for a long time to come. The Irish Government should take a step back and look at the wider picture. All that we're waiting on is a sign from the Irish Government."

The Irish government issued a statement on April 25 of this year urging the Turkish government to resolve the issue, saying that it "deeply regretted the deaths resulting from hunger strikes."

To date there has been no negotiations between the protesting prisoners and the Turkish authorities.

A rally will be held in Waterloo Place this Saturday in support of the hungerstrikers.