Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 18:50:46 -0800
From: IRSP <irsp-AT-netwizards.net>
Subject: M-NEWS: INLA Statement re the Wright Three


 The following is the text of a statement released to the Socialist
 Republican Publicity Bureau;


 "Volunteers of the Irish National Liberation Army, operating within the
 confines of Long Kesh, intercepted and executed MI5 agent and sectarian
 serial killer Billy Wright.  Three Republican Socialist Prisoners of War
 were subsequently charged in connection with Wright's death.

 "The Prison authorities then forcibly removed the three men from the main
 body of Republican Socialist prisoners and they were transferred to
 Maghaberry gaol.

 "Since then the three have been placed in solitary confinement, are un-
able to communicate with each other and are taken separately from their
cells for one hour's exercise each day.  Visits with their families would be
of a  'closed' nature =96 meaning they would have to communicate through a
plate glass partition, which also prevents any form of physical contact. 
They have refused to comply with this imposition.

 "Numerous requests have been made on to have these men returned to
the Republican Socialist H-block.  The prison authorities as to why this
transfer was proving difficult gave various reasons, excuses and
considerations.  Spurious 'security concerns' have now lead to a position
wherein the prisoners have been informed that they will not now be
re-transferred back to the Republican Socialist h-block in Long Kesh.

"The INLA are not prepared to accept a situation where three of our
POWs are being held incommunicado in solitary confinement at the
whim of a vindictive and sectarian prison service.  We give notice to the
Prison authorities that we wish our prisoners transferred back to Long
Kesh without delay.  The fact is that these men's safety and well being is
being placed in jeopardy.  Collaboration between prison officers and
loyalist paramilitaries is an established fact.  Therefore the possibility
of attack  from loyalists is an every day reality.

"Should this notice be ignored then we will have no other option open to
us other than to take direct action against those deemed responsible for
this situation."

Statement Ends. 


North American Coordinator
Irish Republican Socialist Committees
2057 15th Street, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94114
irsp-AT-netwiz.net
http://irsm.pair.com/irscna/