22.06.1995

Bargaining tools

The following is a statement received by the Republican Socialist POW department signed by the Officer Commanding Irish National Liberation Army prisoners

“SPECULATION has increased recently that moves on jail releases of political prisoners are imminent and that somehow these releases will be tied to certain conditions.

“We as republican socialist prisoners of war refuse to allow our freedom to be bartered for. We particularly refuse to equate our release with the surrender of arms. Any moves on the arms issue can only come about as a result of overall agreement.

“Neither are we interested in the percentages approach, which leaves the British to determine how long we shall continue to serve.

“Our demand is for a total and unconditional release of all political prisoners. Now more than ever we are political hostages, but we can assure the British that our resolve remains firm and our morale remains high.”