MEDIA DUPED BY TERROR-LINK STORY
An alleged Real IRA - Breton nationalist arms plot has evaporated
almost as swiftly as the intellegence services manufactured it.
As we predicted the media frenzy that blew up earlier this week when
it was alleged that Breton and Irish nationalists had joined forces
to plan direct actions has evaporated as swiftly as it appeared.
Originally it was suggested, following leaks from 'security sources',
that a number of Bretons detained in France were members of the ARB
(A militant Breton nationalist movement) who were cooperating with
members of the Real IRA. The media stories referred to cooperation
between police forces in France, Ireland and the UK working on an
intellegence tip-off
However the Celtic League was extremely suspicious of the allegations
suggesting that:
"healthy scepticism is the best response to these latest allegations
of 'terror links'
Since the initial arrests involving six people three were swiftly
released and now the others have also been released pending 'further
investigation'.
A British news agency report has asserted that the placing of the
three under investigation is "one step short of formal charges" in
France. What exactly this bizarre statement means is unclear because
it is the case that in most European States being under investigation
means you may ultimately face formal charges. It seems the media cannot
accept they have been made fools off.
What we have previously pointed out however is that even when suspects
are detained by the French authorities for several years the State
seems unable to amass enough evidence to bring charges. Readers of
Celtic News will recall that two months ago the Celtic League staged
a protest outside the French Embassy in Dublin to express outrage
at the detention without trial for over four years of six Bretons
in prisons around the Paris area.
The British and Irish media should wake up and realise that they have
been duped yet again by this so called "terror link" story.
Bernard Moffatt
Secretary General
08/11/03
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries of the
western British Isles and Brittany. It works to promote cooperation
between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political,
cultural and environmental matters. It targets human rights abuse
and monitors all military activity within these areas
TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609
Internet site at
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