Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Call For Peace?

Or mud slinging?

I'm telling you, this is why I will never be able to fully trust a politician.

According to Yahoo News, via AFP, the reelected Lehendakari Juan José Ibarretxe issued a call for peace:
Freshly-reelected leader of the Basque regional government Juan Jose Ibarretxe demanded armed separatist group ETA drop its violent campaign for independence and enter a political dialogue on the northern region's future.

"To reach a true dialogue, a round table between the parties, it is necessary to live without ETA violence and without urban violence," moderate nationalist Ibarretxe told parliament as he was sworn in for a third term.
So far, so good.

But then he gets into this:
Ibarretxe criticised the Socialists, judging it "contradictory that they (the Socialist government in Madrid) talk with them (Basque radicals) in private but on the other hand reproach us for counting on Batasuna's presence for this round table of discussions".
Yes, we know just how much Patxi Lopez poisoned the aftermath of the elections, but you can not call for peace while placing blame on others.

It doesn't matter that the PSOE is accusing the PP of this, or that the PP is accusing both the PNV and the PSOE of that, there is not room for even more blame game.

It is time they all start acting like grown ups.

.... ... .

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Under the Oak of Gernika


Arbola Posted by Hello

Juan Jose Ibarretxe of the Basque Nationalists Party (PNV), poses after he was sworn into office as Basque Government premier (Lehendakari) in the northern Spanish town of Guernica. Ibrarretxe won a third term on Thursday with the backing of a party representing outlawed separatist group Batasuna. Ibrarretxe's moderate nationalist coalition failed to win a majority at regional elections in April but amassed enough parliamentary support on Thursday to form a government thanks to votes from communist party EHAK. REUTERS/Vincent West

.... ... .

Friday, June 24, 2005

Another Basque Mystery

Once I told a group of friends that the life of José Antonio Aguirre, the lehendakari of the short lived Basque Republic, should be made into a movie.

Well made, it could easily rival Schindler's List.

At some other time I will talk more in depth about this idea, now let me show you what a the newspaper Addis Tribune published:

The Spanish Civil War, one of the most painful events between the First and Second World Wars – don’t forget Gernika! - partially coincided, it will be recalled, with the Italian Fascist invasion of Ethiopia.


An important event of that time in Spain in those days was the rise of a short-lived Basque Republic – to whose tragic story – remember Gernika!- we must turn our attention this week.


The Basques, and their Republic, were then the allies of the Spanish Republic, which was under attack by the rebel General Franco, who had the support, it will be recalled, of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.
The article talks about a plane, known to the Basques as The Negus, which is the plane that spirited the lehendakari Aguirre to safety when the Falangists and their Fascist allies closed on Santander.

Well, as it happens, seems like the plane was bought from Haile Selassie, right after the defeat of Ethiopia by Mussolini's forces.

Read on:

Testimony to the ‘plane’s Ethiopian history is provide by none other than Antonio de Aguirre himself. Recalling, in his above-mentioned book, that this aircraft was “the only one we [i.e. the Basques] had”, he writes:


“This audacious plane had its history. It had belonged to Haile Selassie during the Abyssinian War. The Basque Government had acquired it for five thousand pounds. It was a pursuit plane, Curtiss type, fitted out for rapid trips, and without armament. It had its back painted with coats of arms and emblems of the countries where it had served. I recall those of several of the states of the U.S.A., the Lion of Judah, and finally the coat of arms of Euzkadi [i.e. the Basque Republic]… The plane was baptized by the people with the name of ‘The Negus’ and as ‘The Negus’ we all knew it”.


And the ‘plane was used for other, more routine missions for the Basque Republic’ detailed in Aguirre’s book.

The whole article is quite interesting, and the author, Richard Pankhurst, promises more.


*If you wish to read the article, you can do so at Artxiboak.


.... ... .

Juggling and Astrophysics

Lets forget about politics for a while.

Allow me to introduce you to a quite unique person, her name is Iman Lizarazu.

An article about her appeared at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, here you have a portion of it:

Take for instance, Santa Cruz resident Iman Lizarazu, whose life reads like a character from a fanciful French fable. She is a photographer, a painter, a conceptual artist and a vaudeville performer. She’s even a singer, though she admits she can’t sing very well, but does it anyway.

But that’s not even the interesting part.

She was born and reared in the Basque region between France and Spain in a family of winemakers, but also lived in Moscow as a teen, as her father was artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet. She attended art school in Dresden and Berlin, studied mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris and — you gotta be kidding me — even earned a doctorate in astrophysics from the Max Planck Institute in Munich.

She speaks English, French, Russian, German and her native tongue, Euskara. She studies circus arts, flamenco and dance. She’s performed all over the world from festivals to refugee camps. And she’s performing on Saturday in the European-style varieté show called "Three of a Kind" with clown/comedian Hacki and bubbleman Tom Noddy.

Although later on, she did talk about the politics, mainly, on how she perceives violence:

In 2003, after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Lizarazu ran headlong into controversy when she made some searing anti-war art for an exhibit at the Santa Cruz County Building. Many of her images used eyebrow-raising materials, none more so than body bags used to store corpses, some in children’s sizes.

Lizarazu is effusive about her love for the U.S., but she says Americans are too naive and complacent when it comes to some of the horrors of the world beyond its borders, particularly when it comes to terrorism.

She grew up in time and place when Basque separatists regularly used terrorist actions in a quest for independence for the region. The area as well lived in the shadow of the Spanish Civil War and the long reign of fascist dictator Francisco Franco.

"Terrorism was like an everyday issue in my country," she said. "Americans, after Sept. 11, went through such an incredible shock because they never encountered anything like that. My point was that no matter what system you’re in, or what side you’re on, no matter what you do or where you go, war and terrorism are bad and have to be resisted. Period."

All in all, an amazing person.

As if all what she has accomplished is not enough, she shares the same last name as famous Basque defender for Bayern Munich, Bixente Lizarazu.

* You can read the whole article at Artxiboak.

.... ... .

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Patxi Bites the Dust

The drive by the PSOE and the PP to disrupt the political life in the Basque Autonomous Community has finally come to an end.

This travesty was doomed from the get go. It is quite extrange that while the PP is fully engaged in placing all possible obstacles against Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero, ergo the three demonstrations it has spearheaded so far, when it came to derailing Ibarretxe's bid to a third term they were very willing to close ranks with Francisco Lopez (aka Patxi Lopez, to make it sound Basque).

Well, to be honest, it is not all that extrange.

And they failed.

They failed because what they are after is plain and simple, to continue the pet project that both parties share, to deny the Basques their right to self determination.

This is part of what Berria published earlier this morning:
Juan Jose Ibarretxe aukeratu dute Eusko Jaurlaritzako lehendakari, azken bi legegintzalditan bezala. PSE-EEko hautagai Patxi Lopezek baino boto bat gehiago lortu du Ibarretxek, 34 hain zuzen ere. EAJren 22boto, EAren 7, EB-Berdeen 3 eta Ezker Abertzalea taldearen 2 boto eskuratu ditu Ibarretxek, denera 34.
He he, just kidding, here you have it in plain English:
By a stroke the Ezker Abertzalea group not only assured Ibarretxe of his presidency, they also took the key for a dead heat out of Aralar’s hands; and by that time it did not matter whether the PP supported Patxi Lopez or not. But despite the disagreements, San Gil (PP) explained that the votes would be for Lopez. Right up until the evening there was doubt on which way Aralar was going to vote: in her speech beforehand Aintzane Ezenarro spared no words to accuse the three parties of lacking the will to achieve consensus, but she left the door open: she had asked for specific replies on a referendum and on the measures to stop incommunicado detention and had announced that she would decide accordingly. In the end she abstained, because last minute talks had failed to yield any fruit.
Of course, Expatica engages in some Basque hating and calls Esker Abertzalea by the labels of radical and separatist, and even going to the extreme of linking it to ETA:
Moderate nationalist Juan Jose Ibarretxe was re-elected president of the regional Basque government thanks to the partial support of a new party linked to the terrorist group ETA.

Ibarretxe won by a simple majority in a vote in the Basque regional legislature, after garnering the support of two of the new deputies from EHAK, a Basque Communist party said to be linked to the banned Batasuna group.

The partial EHAK support for Ibarretxe was announced on Wednesday by the spokesman for the party, Nekane Erauskin, during the first session of debate on the election of the regional president.

The separatist label is applied by AlertNet also, talk about Madrid being savy when handing out "financial encouragement" to the media:

He defeated a bid from Spain's ruling Socialist party and the centre-right opposition Popular Party to end nearly two decades of nationalist rule in the highly-autonomous Basque region of northern Spain.

Socialist spokesman Jose Antonio Pastor warned Ibarretxe against being "hijacked" by the separatists. He offered Ibarretxe political support if he distanced himself from EHAK.

Ibarretxe's own plan to "share" sovereignty in the Basque region with Spain was crushingly defeated by the Spanish parliament earlier this year.

It was effectively dismissed by his party's poor electoral showing in April.
Batasuna, banned as the political wing of ETA from contesting April's vote, told its supporters to vote for EHAK, which shares its aim of an independent Basque state carved from north Spain and southwest France.

Now, why was Ezker Abertzalea (formerly known as EHAK) so reluctant to provide Ibarretxe with their sorely need support?

Well, to many in Euskal Herria, Ibarretxe is more of a lesser evil than a real option.

Although it seems like he works in behalf of the Basques society, there is room for doubt, mainly when it comes to the actions of the Basque Autonomous Police (Ertzaintza) and the resistance by his government to provide the elements that will stop the rampant use of torture.

I have my doubts also, but it seems like one more obstacle has been left behind.

Patxi, you failed.

San Gil, you failed.

Ibarretxe, don't let us down, pretty please.


Gazteiz Posted by Hello

Basque premier Juan Jos Ibarretxe (R) is congratulated by Socialist leader Patxi Lopez after being elected president of the Basque government in Vitoria, northern Spain, June 23, 2005. Ibarretxe, who was elected for a third consecutive term with the support of a radical separatist party, has pledged to push ahead with a plan to end four decades of violence by armed separatist group ETA within the next six months. REUTERS/Vincent West

.... ... .

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Aznar: Guilty

But we knew that, since March 11th, 2004.

And to his dismay, the international media has not been so kind towards him this time around.

Almost as if those who make the decisions at the press rooms have finally managed to see through the smoke curtain that protects the rancid Francoism that still pesters Spain's life.

The next step if you ask me?

Take the pocket size Franco wannabe to The Hague, where he belongs. A cell right next to Milosevic's.

The final word about the inquiry into the attacks was first brought to us by Reuters:
Spain's previous centre-right government "manipulated and twisted" the Madrid train bombings of March 2004 in a bid to salvage general elections three days later, a parliamentary commission found on Wednesday.

In a 200-page report after a year of bitter wrangling, the commission accused Jose Maria Aznar's Popular Party (PP) government of ignoring police warnings that its support for the Iraq war increased the threat from Islamic terrorism in Spain.

Few minutes later, the same outlet provided more info:

"The objective was to influence public opinion about the authors of the attack and avoid political consequences which might harm the electoral interests of the Popular Party," read the final report. The report alleged the PP was afraid of public outcry if the bombings were linked to its unpopular support for the Iraq war.

"It was clearly an informative attitude inappropriate for a democratic government," said the report.

Aznar, who stood down at the elections, told a hearing of the commission last year he still believed ETA was linked to the attacks. The commission said in Wednesday's report it found no evidence of any ETA involvement in the bombings.

The words by Aznar sound familiar?

That is because apologists like the pseudo-liberal bloggers behind Barcepundit and HispaLibertas have been lending credibility to Aznar's delusional misguided and misguiding rants, the sad part being that some American bloggers seem to be at ease while lies like these are fed to them.

Eventually AP took it from there:

The main body of the report said the Aznar government had been warned by Spanish and foreign intelligence services that Spain ran the risk of an attack by Islamic militants. At least one report from Spanish intelligence made specific mention of the Spanish troop presence in Iraq, which was widely unpopular domestically, as a motive for concern.

But Aznar's government was guilty of "clear underestimation of the announced risks," the commission's report charged, although it said this does not necessarily mean the bombings could have been averted.

Over the course of the parliamentary probe, the now ruling Socialists accused Aznar's of lying to save the 2004 election. They said Aznar feared that word of an Islamic role in the attack would make voters think his Iraq policy had made Spain a target for al-Qaida and eject his party from office.

Not only he feared the backlash over Iraq, he saw it as an opportunity to demonize the Basque dream of self determination even more, make it into a nightmare.

Expatica, an outlet with Francoist esqueletons in the closet, tried to downplay it:

Spain's much-criticised inquiry into the Madrid train bombings accuses the former conservative prime minister Jose Maria Aznar of 'manipulaing' and 'distorting' the tragedy for electoral ends.

Only the Popular Party (PP) members on the inquiry refused to agree to criticism of Aznar's role during and after the bombings in which 191 people were killed.

Aznar, whose PP was in charge when the Islamic terrorists struck on 11 March last year, initially blamed ETA — provoking a backlash from voters in the general three days later.

The Socialist opposition party won a shock victory, against all predictions.

The only ones criticising it are the members of the PP, because they were caught red handed in the process of raping democracy.

Which is why they disagreed with the outcome of the report. Well, duh!

Not to congratulate myself, but I said it a long time ago.

.... ... .

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Guilty Even When Not

For decades Madrid has followed a simple yet perverse policy against the Basque society.

They accuse anyone working in behalf of the Basque self determination of being part of something they call the entorno.

A literal translation of entorno would be environment or surroundings.

Meaning, anything and everything Basque is part of ETA, since they are Basque.

I could come up with quite a few similar comparisons if I wanted.

A few years back, from the hand of clown Judge Garzon, Madrid started a process against a number of Basque youth organizations; Jarrai, Haika and Segi. These organizations were aimed at providing the Basque youth with projects and spaces in which they could express themselves, something sorely needed to curb the increased use of drugs among youngsters.

Since these groups supported the right to self determination and (gasp!) independence, they were branded as part of ETA.

Yesterday Spain's highest court, the Audiencia Nacional, ruled these groups are not part of ETA:
Spain's highest court has ruled a youth organisation with links to ETA was not a terrorist group and ondemned 24 members of Segi to light sentences.

They were given jail terms of between two and three-and-a-half years for belonging to an illegal organisation.

Four other accused escaped any sentence.
Yes, you read that right, even after ruling that they were not part of ETA, they still were handed sentences, go figure that one out.

But notice the language Expatica uses: "Four other accused escaped any sentences".

These four others spent years in jail awaiting a resolution of their case, they were found non guilty, yet for Expatica, they escaped any sentences, as if they deserved them but got away without them.

Which comes to show that for the Spanish media, the Basques are not only guilty until proven innocent, they are guilty even when innocent.

What about the years spent in jail just to be proven innocent?

At least there is a sentence in the article that provides a little measure of hope:
The Audiciencia Nacional said only ETA can be defined in law as a terrorist organisation as it used arms.
So, there you go, Ikastolas are not terrorist organizations, Basque media outlets are not terrorist organizations, Basque unions and political parties are not terrorist organizations, hopefully someone will pay attention to the Audiencia Nacional.

Berria provides more info:
The most significant aspect, however, is the crime the Court has found them guilty or not guilty of. The case had been built on Judge Baltasar Garzon’s assertions that as the indictees were the leaders of the youth organisations, they were therefore ETA members. The Prosecutor Enrique Molina also deliberately stuck to this hypothesis during the trials. The Prosecutor embarked on the trial pressing for convictions of up to fourteen years for 33 of the indictees. In the final report he was pressing for ten-year sentences for 28 of the indictees. The charges against the other five were dropped after admitting there was insufficient proof for convicting them.
* The article cited here was originally published by Anti-Basque outlet Expatica, you can also read it at Artxiboak.

UPDATE: The blog Oread Daily has a very compelling post regarding this issue, it is called Basque Youth Face Repression:
The trial was merely the latest in the assault on the Basque Nationalist Left. For several years now newspapers, political parties, radio stations, cultural associations, and schools have been shut down by the Spanish state, while hundreds have been jailed, thousands driven into exile, and millions of Euros worth of assets seized. Always Spain claims the targets are members of ETA and therefore terrorists.

Many of those charged and/or convicted are held far away from their homes, sometimes on the Canary Islands, so that visits are difficult.

Revolution reports that Basque prisoners are commonly tortured. Spanish law allows prisoners suspected of terrorism to be held five days with no outside communication or lawyer. Reports of beatings, electric shock, suffocation with plastic bags, threats of rape and the like are common. Revolution says, “The number of incidents reported, including cases of attempted suicide by prisoners, has led even the United Nations to recognize that the Spanish government is violating the conditions it agreed to in the Convention against Torture.”



~ ~ ~

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Torture: Illegal and Immoral

There is a lot of chit-chat in the Blogosphere as a result of Amnesty International's report on torture in Guantanamo.

There is those who are offended by the language used by the human rights organization, I would add, they are conveniently offended and making a lot of noise, so people lose view of the larger picture.

What do I think about torture?

As any other kind of violence, I firmly oppose torture.

Torture is illegal and immoral, always.

The position that sometimes torture is needed to save more lives does not hold water.

Now, the little puppets in Spain are as enraged and frustrated as any other red state American.

Why?

Well, Spain is a country were torture is rampant.

It is used against Basque political prisoners and against illegal immigrants mainly.

But Spain, always ready to criticise Argentina or Chile for their alleged failure to prosecute those who commited abuse against political dissidents that led to torture and murder, that same Spain forgets that the Francoist murderers are dying out of old age, without never ever standing trials for their crimes against human kind.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Madrid dismissed the case pressed forward by Unai Romano, victim of torture at the hands of the Guardia Civil, ironically enough, in spite of the torture, he walks free without charges.

Meaning, the torture he endured was aimed at him confessing a crime he never commited, which is what torture is used for most of the time.

The pictures of the Unai Romano before and after he endured torture as a result of Spain's repressive measures against the Basques are widely available in the internet.

This is why the liberals (for some reason closet Falangists in Spain like calling themselves liberals) from Madrid and few other cities claim that Amnesty International is wrong, because those Spaniards defend a status quo that tortures.

They love waging their tails to their handlers.

.... ... .

A Basque Tour de Swisse

This week it was Aitor Gonzalez's turn to win an event for Euskaltel Euskadi.

The Basque rider who held the 4th place at the beginning of the last stage just 39 seconds behind the yellow jersey Michael Rogers, obliterated the Australian when he relentlesly attacked at the Furka Pass.

Aitor ended up winning the stage and the overall, beating Michael Rogers and Jan Ullrich, who finished third.

Will Euskaltel Euskadi take the tour this year?

With riders like Iban Mayo, Haimar Zubeldia, Aitor Gonzalez and Inigo Landaluze it would look like a sure bet.

But then there is the special mix that a certain cyclist is allowed to drink, to "keep cancer at bay".



Furka Posted by Hello

.... ... .

Gara's Front Page


Gara Posted by Hello

A man reads the radical Basque daily Gara in Pamplona, Spain, Sunday, June 19, 2005, fronting with the latest statement of The Basque separatist group ETA saying it had halted attacks against 'elected members of political parties' because of the changes it had noticed in the political atmosphere in Spain and that it was now up to Madrid and Paris to 'respond positively to the willingness shown by ETA in recent months.' Spanish politicians dismissed the communique. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

.... ... .

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Homophobic March

One has to wonder how is it that Franco Aléman, always reliable when it comes to highlighting the PP's democratic crusade in Spain, said nothing about the Pro Family Christian Values of the One Spain Under One God demonstration organized by the political organization with the help of the Catholic Church in Madrid.

Thanks to Blog Pulse soon I will find out what others like the Barcepundit say (or in his case, don't say) about this march.

Because his caveman approach to society had him singing odes to the previous demonstration against dialogue and peace, as I pointed out previously.

Now, lets take a look at the players that took part in this new dawn of tolerance and acceptance:

The Partido Popular:

Ángel Acebes, the dirty little liar that told the international law enforcement agencies that ETA was behind the 3/11 attack in Madrid, was in charge of leading this demonstration of openly Anti-Gay nature.

This is the same Partido Popular that is fighting for the presidency of Galiza, with its eternal nominee Manuel Fraga, a Francoist Minister, founder of a political party that gave a job to a band of fascists murderers.

The Catholic Church:

Talk about an institution known for its intolerance, lead by a certain Ratzinger that at one time was part of the most infamous racist institution in the Western Hemisphere.

Woops!

Am I talking about the Holly Inquisition or about the Nazi Party?

Hard to tell, they are so alike.

And just to piss off Franco (both the dead one and the blogging one), the Basque and Catalan bishops said No to the demonstration.

So, just to round up things, the Falangists and the Catholic Church are out in force trying to disrupt the political life of Spain.

Does that ring any bells?

.... ... .

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Justice for Berrueta

Over a year ago, one of Spain's more sinister characters, José María Aznar, decided to benefit politically from a tragedy in which dozens of innocent people were killed.

His actions lead to the death of one more person, his name, Angel Berrueta, a baker from the city of Iruñea that was gunned down and hacked to death by a police officer and his son after Angel refused to put up a sign on the window of his bakery as demanded by the police officer's wife.

This is exactly the kind of reaction that the likes of Aznar, Rajoy, Acebes and Palacio were looking for.

What they wanted was to make the entire Basque society look as responsible for the bombings in Madrid. It was only natural that the hot heads would go to extremes like the killing of a defenseless old man.

Valeriano de la Peña, his son Miguel de la Peña and his wife María Pilar Rubio are now standing trial for that senseless act of violence. The judge in charge is trying to downplay it, making it look like a disagreement among neighbors.

Here is what Berria published about the reaction for those who think the act was politically motivated, taking into consideration that Angel Berrueta was a member of Gurasoak, a support group for the parents of Basque political prisoners:
Representing the Gurasoak association, Jose Miguel Olza pointed out they were only demanding justice and said that the case would be “conditioned” by the fact that Javier Muñoz, the Public Prosecutor of the High Court of Navarre, had said that the death was the result of an argument between neighbours. Olza stressed that they had gathered to express “solidarity” towards the family and that it was the moment to be close to the family of the dead man. He added that the PP was politically responsible for the killing.
Yes, there will be the cowards that will continue to sing their odes to Spain's "young" democracy while they turn a blind eye to the ugly fascism rearing its head in the politics of that country.

The rest of us, well, we demand justice for Angel Berrueta and his family.

.... ... .

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

To Silence a Voice

The last few days I have been posting about how the Partido Popular in Spain manipulates so called human rights organizations like the AVT and Basta Ya to advance their own repressive agenda.

I even mentioned that the group of victims of last year's bombing in Madrid were aware of this situation and had since then refused to play the same game.

There is multiple reporters, bloggers and pundits that take every chance they have to expunge the image of José María Aznar and his thugs.

Lets see how they can explain this:
Ms Manjon, 46, has gone into hiding after being threatened by groups apparently associated with the opposition Popular Party, defeated by the Socialists in an election three days after the terrorist attacks.

The threats began after she made an impassioned appeal to a parliamentary commission into the bombings, pleading with politicians to stop bickering and to concentrate on care for the victims and their families.

That's right, the PP and its satellite groups have instilled so much fear on Pilar Manjon, mother of one of the victims, that she is now in hiding.

This next couple of sentences will give you a better perspective of what the sinister individuals that shield themselves behind the PP are capable of:

A heroine to many ordinary Spaniards, Ms Manjon believes she has incurred the wrath of Popular Party supporters and the Spanish Right because she is strongly identified with working-class victims of the bombings.

One man called her on her mobile phone and shouted: "Because of the deaths of this riff-raff (on March 11), we lost the elections."

What happened to all the solidarity towards the victims?

Isn't is supposed to be towards all victims of terrorism?

What happened to thet signs reading "They Killed Them Because They Are Spaniards" some retards displayed in Gazteiz and Bilbo?

One stark sentence from Mrs. Manjon sums it all up:
"If I paid any attention to the press now, I'd believe I was guilty of killing my son," she said as she left Madrid for a secret location. "My sin is that my son was not killed by those they had hoped (ETA)."
As simple as that.

*The article was published by The Australian, you can also find it at Artxiboak.

.... ... .

Last Three Weeks in Euskal Herria

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS AND HELP US TO BREAK THE WALL OF SILENCE BUILD BY THE SPANISH AND FRENCH STATES AGAINST THE BASQUE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND FREEDOM.

-28/5 . Otegi: “Jailing me won’t change the commitment in favour of a resolution”

“I thought I was going to be stuck here for at least two years.” These were Otegi’s first comments as he emerged through the gates of the prison. He was speaking about what went through his mind when he heard the grounds presented by the Public Prosecutor in the Spanish National Criminal Court to request that he be unconditionally remanded in custody. “It was clear that the grounds were not juridical ones and I thought I’d be behind bars for a longish stretch.” Next to the prison car park shortly after his release he issued a clear message. “What has happened to me is in no way going to change the political course of the Basque nationalist left.”

When he appeared in front of dozens of reporters and cameras to make some comments, he said Batasuna would be sticking to its commitment in favour of a resolution [of the Basque conflict]. He referred to the Anoeta Proposal and said, just as he did at the time, that the Basque nationalist left would continue to be committed to democratic solutions and dialogue to resolve the conflict. “Whatever position is adopted by the Public Prosecutor and the National Criminal Court and even if they put me behind bars, the commitment made by the Basque nationalist left to peace, democracy and a resolution of the conflict will not change.”

He appealed for help in this endeavour “from all the people of the [Spanish] State and from the Basque Country, in particular”. He urged people to join the demo scheduled to take place in Bilbo a week today in support of the slogan Orain herria, orain bakea (The People now, Peace now). “In this situation we all need to push for a dialogue process to be started to achieve peace, democracy and self-determination once and for all.”During the first few minutes after his release Otegi spoke about the other prisoners: the Basque political prisoners and the ordinary prisoners. Keeping the promise he made to the ordinary prisoners, in front of dozens of cameras he condemned the situation the prisoners were enduring, and, in particular, what the prisoners held in solitary confinement were going through. During the two days he was in Soto del Real prison he had the chance to experience at first hand what it means to be kept in solitary confinement. He was keen to speak about the repression and violation of rights that go on in the solitary blocks. He deplored the fact that there was no medical service and that the social and education workers did not even show up at the solitary blocks.

-2/6 . Electronic Bugs found at the Bayonne party offices of Batasuna

The press conference at the pary's offices here was called to denounce the electronic surveillance of their political party HQ – with Mr Larralde holding up black wiring and the rest of the bugging paraphernalia (two microphones, two aerials and two transmitters connected to a transformer) for all to see.
In a statement, Joseba Permach, Co-ordinator for Batasuna’s National Committee, emphasised that it was not the first time they had been victims of espionage. Up to recently the office was used by the MEP for the EH party, Koldo Gorostiaga. Batasuna is to take legal action over the incident in coming weeks.

Permach denounced that, in the last weeks and months, the French State had embarked on what appeared to be «qualitative steps» in a strategy of confrontation against Batasuna and the ezker abertzale (the Left Basque Nationalist Movement) and called for the French Government «to halt this repression and take steps on the road to a political solution to the conflict». He stated that «Batasuna restates the Anoeta proposal and recalled that the proposal has been sent to the Presidents of both States (France and Spain)».

In March 1998ko CESID (the Spanish Secret Service) was found spying on the HB party headquarters in the Basque capital of Gasteiz. The Araba (Basque Country) District Assizes sentenced two CESID chiefs to three years imprisonment for illegal bugging, a ruling that was subsequently overturned by Spanish.

-3/6 . Irantzu Abad in coma after accident returning from Special High Court

Irantzu Abad is unconscious in a coma in Madrid’s La Paz hospital. She has a skull fracture and the resulting pressure has caused haemorrhaging. Yesterday evening the 27-year-old was said to be in a serious condition, according to the medical report. She is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit in Madrid. The day before yesterday she had been returning to the Basque Country after attending the trial of her partner, Jorge Uruñuela, at the Spanish Special High Court in Madrid, when the car she was travelling in was involved in a serious accident when it overturned. Her mother, Pili Iglesias, and another friend of the Basque prisoner, were also injured. They both checked out of the hospital yesterday afternoon after being treated for their injuries. The prisoners’ organisation Etxerat and various local groups denounced the situation of the dispersal of Basque prisoners far from their home country and the high risk incurred on the roads for their family members and other loved ones visiting them.

-3/6. Over past two years 24 telephones of LAB members tapped

For the past two years leadings members of LAB have been victims of spying by the Spanish Police, with warrants from the Spanish Special High Court. Judge Baltasar Garzon provided warrants for the secret surveillance of at least 24 telephones numbers by the Spanish Police’s Central Intelligence Unit (UCI). Of these three were used by the Union’s General Secretary, Rafa Diez, another two were at LAB’s offices in the Basque Country capital of Gasteiz and another 19 used by various leading and past members. Availing of a UCI report, Garzon launched the operation on 27 June 2003 to investigate any relationship between the Union and the «the network led by ETA-Ekin», according to LAB. UCI requested the tap warrants from the judge and, subsequently, the permission for electronic eavesdropping was extended.

The LAB Secretary appeared before the press yesterday, together with lawyer, Iñigo Iruin, who denounced that «the moves against the political-social structure of the Basque Independentist Left Movement follows the same schema as previous indictments aimed at the Basque Left, using «UCI reports and telephone taps». The moves, according to Rafa Diez, represent the «last link» in the chain of operations against the Basque Left initiated by the previous Spanish Government under Jose Maria Aznar. The LAB General Secretary made a «clear call» to the President of the Spanish Government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, that it was «time to deactivate the political inheritance of the PP and high time to drop political witch hunts».

4/6. Jon Idigoras dies

Jon Idigoras, the famous militant of the Basque nationalist left, has passed away while maintaining the same coherence and strength of will he displayed throughout his life. He was calm, at peace with himself and proud of the way of life he had pursued; he had done what he had to do and had said what he had to say.

He was 69 in May and at 11.45 yesterday died as a result of a long illness in the San Sebastian Hospital in Bilbo. He had been there for nearly a month since he was admitted there on May 7 in a very serious condition. He had been suffering from emphysema for many years. He had severe breathing problems that affected his whole body. He was very weak and was admitted to hospital for the last time suffering from pneumonia as a result of a lack of bodily defences. Yet his brain was absolutely clear up until the last moment. He knew he was very ill and that he was going to die soon. On Monday he somehow sensed that he only had a few more hours left to live and called the people closest to him to his bedside: his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and Batasuna leaders. He wanted to bid farewell and give advice to each one. He told his relatives to look after each other and gave members of the party’s National Executive Committee encouragement to go on. “He told us he had fulfilled his obligations and asked us to carry on in the same direction,” explained Eusebio Lasa, one of the committee members.

Idigoras said it was a vitally important moment for the Basque Country, it was necessary to take advantage of the situation and the Basque nationalist left was moving in the right direction. He called on them to act prudently in the face of the obstacles they were going to come up against.

Idigoras died at peace with himself, having fulfilled what he had set out for himself all his life; he had the sensation that he had completed his work and did not cease conducting a political analysis right up until the last moment. He wanted to have a clear head until the final moment and that was the case. He refused to take the painkillers every two hours as the doctors had prescribed for him, because he did not want to lose consciousness. This was because he wanted to take advantage of the final moments. Although there was discretion surrounding the seriousness of his condition, Idigoras saw everyone who had found out and who wanted to visit him in hospital. He did not keep quiet in their presence.

-5/6. Batasuna keen to see table of parties formed by next Easter

Thousands of citizens proclaimed ‘The people now, peace now’ in the streets of Bilbo
Saturday’s march organised by Batasuna with the slogan Orain herria orain bakea (The people now, peace now) set off along the streets of Bilbo amid applause from numerous citizens and ended in the same way. The banner that led it was carried by members of Batasuna’s executive committee, relatives of Jon Idigoras and members of the Pro Amnesty Movement. The clapping at the start was for them; long rounds of applause interspersed with shouts of encouragement. The applause at the end was for the new challenge that Batasuna has set itself. For the words spoken by Arnaldo Otegi from the city hall: “We want the Table for Resolving the Basque Conflict set up by the next Aberri Eguna and we will do all we can to meet that objective.”

In front of thousands of people who had filled the square and bridge opposite the city hall Otegi made this commitment; “with revolutionary integrity” he was providing the people with the opportunity to express its view.

Otegi did however feel that the people were needed in order to achieve what was going to constitute “a new phase” in solving the conflict and in reaching a stage full of “firm commitments and content”. So he was asking the people to make a commitment. “Peace is a vitally important aim, too important to leave in the hands of the political classes. The politicians have clearly shown that they do not have what it takes to respond to the needs of the situation.” The thousands of people gathered in Bilbo responded to Otegi’s request with a round of applause. The members of Batasuna’s executive committee, with the photo of Jon Idigoras before them, expressed total confidence in the people: “the Basque nationalist left will not let you down, the citizens won’t let you down, the people won’t let you down”.

Otegi said a commitment is needed now to solve the conflict. He felt that the issues, the three problems which needed addressing were clear: “The solution has to be democratic and for the whole of Euskal Herria. The whole of Euskal Herria has to have the right to self-determination; the issues have to be addressed by all of us throughout Euskal Herria”. “So the process will start moving, despite the obstacles,” he reiterated.

He also spoke about the “thirst for revenge and cruelty” of the Spanish and French governments as he recalled the condition of Irantzu Abad. He spoke about the dispersal of Basque prisoners. About the political use of the dispersal and about the “thirst for revenge”.

-8/6. Unai Romano insists Spanish Civil Guard tortured him

“The Spanish Civil Guard tortured me in September 2001; I am not going to change a single comma in my testimony.” Thus spoke the young Unai Romano yesterday in a press briefing together with the Anti-Torture Group (TAT) on the dropping of his torture complaint. Romano stressed that he was standing totally by the torture complaint he made at the time and said it was “absolutely disgraceful” that the file on his complaint should be closed.

The young man pointed out that the Spanish Civil Guard had arrested him, held him incommunicado and had tortured him. “They made me believe they had killed my mother, my head was burning, it was very swollen… I couldn’t see a thing. They drove me to the brink and I tried to bite the arteries in my wrists to put an end to the torment,” he said. While he was being held incommunicado he had told the court appointed doctor the same thing three times. In the presence of the first judge he denounced what he had been put through. “The judge told me that he had been working with the Spanish Civil Guard for years and that he did not believe me, and told me to take the matter to court.” Romano also denounced the court appointed doctor for saying that he [Romano] did not display the attitude of having been tortured. “What kind of attitude was I supposed to display to show that I had been tortured, when in Spain no one is tortured in theory?”

-9/6. 25 years on relatives believe BVE got rid of Naparra

“9,131 days of suffering. That’s enough”. That was all Eneko Etxeberria, the brother of Jose Migel Etxeberria aka Naparra, said yesterday. The day after tomorrow it will be 25 years since Eneko last saw his brother. Naparra had been a member of the Autonomous Commandos (Basque pro-independence and anticapitalist armed organization) and was a refugee in the Northern Basque Country. The last time they saw him was on June 11, 1980. Shortly after he disappeared the Batallón Vasco Español-BVE (Spanish death squad) made calls to the newspapers Deia and Egin claiming responsibility for kidnapping and killing him. No body has been produced. In order to put an end to the suffering the family is desperate to find the remains. That was the emotional appeal from Naparra’s relatives yesterday.

The lawyer Iñigo Iruin, who has been acting in the Naparra case, reiterated that this was a priority for the relatives. Iruin was also in no doubt as to who could provide information on the case. “We know that people in high positions in the Spanish State’s intelligence and information services 25 years ago could provide vital information on what became of Naparra”. Iruin said this during a press conference in Donostia (San Sebastian) yesterday. Nevertheless, they appealed to anyone who might have information that could help to locate Naparra’s remains to get in touch with the family or with Iruin.

The investigations to find Naparra’s remains have in fact been halted, because Ismael Moreno, the Spanish National Criminal Court judge, decided to close the file on the case on October 4 last year. The most surprising and exasperating thing for the relatives is the reason Moreno put forward for closing the case.

On behalf of the Pro-Amnesty Movement Jon Esparantza shared the view of Naparra’s relatives. “It was the result of the dirty war”. He went on to denounce the responsibility of the Spanish State. He put what happened to Naparra in the context of the conflict in the Basque Country. In this respect, he called on the Spanish Government to open the doors for resolving the conflict by showing respect towards the victims: “We are calling for the implementing of a solution based on remembrance, truth and justice.”

-10/6 . Basque Confederation calls on France not to attack Basque language

It has spoken to the Public Institution for the Basque Language and the French Government asking them to stop riding roughshod over the Basque language and adopt measures to denounce this Euskal Konfederazioa (The Basque Confederation) is concerned and angry. Angry, because it feels that the French Government fails to respect language rights. It has made a direct appeal to the new French government to abandon this course and to make a language policy in favour of the Basque language a priority. Not just with words, but with actions, too. It has also appealed to the EEP-Euskara Erakunde Publikoa (Public Institution for the Basque Language), which is responsible for language policy in the Northern Basque Country, to denounce infringements of language rights.

-11/6.ETA grenade attack on Zaragoza airport

One grenade exploded without injuring anyone, but some flights were suspended . Someone phoning on behalf of ETA contacted the newspaper Gara and the DYA roadside assistance organisation, and the attack occurred an hour later. No one was injured in the blast.

-15/6. Release of four arrested in swoops on Pro-Amnesty Committees

In the indictment the Public Prosecutor had requested 10-year prison terms for each of the 27 people facing charges.

Julen Zelarain, Gorka Zulaika, Josu Beaumont and Iñaki Reta were released yesterday after posting bail amounting to 10,000 euros each. Zelarain, Zulaika and Beaumont were arrested on October 31, 2001 in a police operation ordered by Judge Baltasar Garzon against the Pro-Amnesty Committees (AAB-Amnistiaren Aldeko Batzordeak). In October they would have completed the four-year maximum period for being remanded in custody.

.... ... .

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Irish, Yes/ Basque, Almost

It is so extrange to see Madrid fighting for the right of Basque to be recognized by the European Union.

Yet, as bizarre as it may be, it happened, and here is the story according to the Belfast Telegraph:
The Irish language overcame Dutch objections to win recognition as an EU official language yesterday, but the next challenge facing the Irish government will be to provide trained interpreters and translators.

It means that Irish will finally become a working language of the EU more than 30 years after the country first joined.

Although the European taxpayer must pay for the cost of Irish, the Spanish government will pay for the more limited rights afforded to Basque, Catalan and Galician.

The deal to get agreement on Irish was finalised amid a growing mood in the Netherlands and elsewhere to curb all expansion of EU costs following the rejection of the constitutional treaty in the Netherlands two weeks ago.

To be honest, on top of the Dutch refusal, the three continental languages had to face Ireland's own refusal, try to explain that one.

Berria provides more information:

The Basque Language can be used in European institutions from now on, but it will not enjoy official status. The same applies to Catalan and Galician. The ambassadors of the 25 European Union countries reached agreement in Luxembourg yesterday. EU Foreign Ministers are expected to approve the accord without entering into any debate.

This decision in Europe comes as a result of a request made by the Spanish Government. Initially, Spain wanted the language rules to be changed so that Basque, Catalan and Galician could be official. That option was however dropped, because the European Union Treaty would need changing beforehand. It must be pointed out that even though Spain has made this request, MPs who speak Basque, Catalan and Galician will not have an opportunity to use these languages in Congress (the lower house of the Spanish Parliament). In recent times there has been a lot of tension between ERC MPs and Manuel Marin, the Speaker of the lower house of the Spanish Parliament. Whenever Catalan MPs tried to speak in their own language, they were silenced by Marin.

Confusing huh?

I have only one question to the big wigs runing the European Union.

Do they understand the importance of preserving Europe's oldest language?

Do they realize that a language is to be spoken in order to continue to be?

Or do they want to preserve it in museums, in books and recordings?

For the sake of their own credibility, they need to come up with answers to those questions

.... ... .

Monday, June 13, 2005

Gastronostia: Basque Gastronomy

The Basque Country is famous for its cuisine.

Chefs from Euskal Herria are hailed as some of the best around the world.

Now, there is a new blog that is out to prove this, the name, Gastronostia.

Here you have a hearty portion of the opening post:
The Basque Country stands apart, not only from Spain but from the rest of Europe, in part due to its amazing food. Ranging from the normal kitchen output from the average ama de casa to Michelin starred restaurants, the pure quality of ingredients and the care and imagination shown produce world class dishes.

Great tradition is complemented by innovation, methods are passed from generation to generation. Seasonal produce is always used and combined in an authentic Basque way.
And there is already one recipe available:

Alubias de Tolosa.

Enjoy!

.... ... .

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Dauphine's Basque 1-2

This was a great edition of the Dauphine Liberé for Euskal Herria. Thanks to the first and second places earned by Iñigo Landaluze and Santiago Botero, the tiny nation placed two riders among the top three.

Colombian Santiago Botero Etcheverry, who rides for the team Phonak, is the son of a Basque lady from Hazparne in Lapurdi.

Today he had to deal with Landaluze's show of force, and he went on to win the second overall, on top of people like Alexandre Vinokurov and Lance Armstrong.

And what about Armstrong?

Well, as usual, displaying his lack of sportsmanship and chivalry, he downplayed the importance of the event. Something he did not do a few years back when he won it, but such is his borish behavior.

Today he sent two of his team mates to derail Landaluze's efforts, but Landaluze was out to get him AND win the race, which he did, riding solo, since he was the only member of Euskaltel Euskadi left.

Congrats to Inigo and Santiago!

Gora Euskal Herria!



Botero Etcheverry Posted by Hello

.... ... .

Zorionak Txapeldun!

Iñigo Landaluze won the Dauphine Liberé!

To achieve so, he had to keep cool and defuse the attacks by the likes of Santiago Botero and Alexandre Vinokurov.

This is the second year in a row that a Basque rider conquers this important race, last year the top place went to Iban Mayo.

Something tells me that the Orange Crush will be in perfect shape when it takes on the Tour de France in a few weeks.


Txapeldun Posted by Hello

.... ... .

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Gora Biarritz!

Revenge is sweet, yes indeed.

The Biarritz Olympique went to the City of Light, and avenged their previous loss by defeating the Parisian rugby team Stade Francais to earn yet one more French rugby championship.

Zorionak!


Biarritz Olympique Posted by Hello

.... ... .

Tracking Blog Posts

I just added a few links to sites devoted to tracking the posts that populate the blogosphere.
A couple of years ago there was a mention about Feedster at and article about blogging at Time Magazine. The truth is, I was not impressed by that site back then, and the truth, they have not improved greatly.
But there is a couple of newer ones that really deliver the goodies.
A prime example is Technorati.
But the one I really like is Blog Pulse, thanks to them I have been able to find out about what people is talking about in regards of the main topic at this blog, which is Euskal Herria, the Basque people.
To see for yourself what I am talking about, check out this recent posts:
But, most of all, there is ETA. Though they were not responsible for last year’s Madrid bombs, they have not gone away. Until now, the Spanish governments, supported by the majority of the population, including the majority of the Basque population, have refused to negotiate with the terrorists, thus distinguishing themselves from the far more craven behaviour of the British governments.
Certain reforms that would satisfy the democratic Basque nationalists have been put through and, just as with the IRA, there are indications that, although ETA has not stopped its bombings and other attacks, militarily it has been growing weaker.
(The Basques are the people who inhabit an area in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain around the western edge of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Early Basques were adventurous sailors, and Basque descendants are found in many areas of the world. Basque settlements are found in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and communities in Idaho, eastern Nevada, and throughout California.)

To be sure, Basques should be able to study their family trees and learn about their heritage in the same manner as all other ethnic groups. But is it appropriate to spend a quarter million dollars of taxpayers' money for this? If so, how about doing the same for Irish, German, English, Italian, Swedish, Lithuanian, African-American, Hispanic, French-Canadian, Cambodian, Portuguese, and other ethnic groups?
I need to leave comments at each and everyone of these posts.
And the ones to come.

~ ~ ~

Friday, June 10, 2005

Landaluze Takes Lead

Here we have a picture of Inigo Landaluze, a rider from the team Euskaltel Euskadi, while he speeds ahead during the fifth stage of the Dauphine Libere cycling race between Vaison La Romaine and Grenoble.

Inigo went on to finish second in the stage, but most important of all, he is now the overall leader.

He stated that the toughest part is still ahead. Last year his team mate Iban Mayo won the event, hopefully Inigo will provide with a repeat for the team, and for all the fans back home in Euskal Herria.


Inigo Landaluze Posted by Hello

.... ... .

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Tremlett's View

Seems like Giles is finally doing some homework before opening his mouth.

Just a couple of years ago he would entertain himself with one anti-Basque essay after the other.

Not so on his recent article titled "Whatever You Say, Say No", published at the Guardian Unlimited.

Giles talks about the march in Madrid (somehow the press is keeping mute about the one in Bilbo). He is not fooled by the PP's not so subtle manipulation of AVT to attack Rodriguez Zapatero. And he gives us a more accurate figure of how many people actually took part in the demonstration:
And at the weekend, Madrid played host to 250,000 marchers condemning any negotiations. Relatives of Eta's victims led the march, though it was supported by the opposition People's party (PP), which used the opportunity to take a swipe at the Socialist prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. When parliament debated the idea of talks last month, it gave Mr Zapatero permission to enter into negotiations if Eta showed "a clear will" to give up violence. In a reference to some Eta's victims, the PP warned Mr Zapatero against "betraying the dead".
That is closer to the figure of 200,000 that La Jornada reported originally, a figure that was corroborated by Wmute on his post "Cuantas Personas Caben en Príncipe de Vergara". Now if you want a laugh, go read the Barcepundit's peyote induced post in which he claims a million marchers showed up, which in turn according to him demonstrates that democracy is at work since a million people demonstrated against Aznar for his support to the war in Iraq.

The only problem is, back then, it was a million Spaniards demonstrating their rejection to Aznar's failed attempt to become an international power house. This time, it was only a fraction trying to derail a peace proposal that will in turn end the violence that claims victims on both sides.

Some people want peace, others are so bent in some sort of Francoist renaissence that they even post pictures of Basques demonstrating for peace and claim that they are Spaniards in Madrid. Too bad the banner is in Euskera and anyone can tell the city in the picture is Bilbo.

And what does Rodriguez Zapatero has to say?

Well, although he is allowing the repressive State machinery to continue its activities, he says that he will pursue his project aimed at ending ETA's violence:
Zapatero spoke from the Senate floor to quell opponents angry that the prime minister would propose talks when a sustained police crackdown has diminished ETA's ability to kill.

"If there is any chance that ETA is willing to abandon arms and end violence forever, of course the government will hold talks in search of peace, which is what the great majority of Spaniards want," the Socialist leader said while senators from the right-of-centre Popular Party jeered.
Which is something this blogger and many other Basques want, peace, as simply as that.

.... ... .

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Serra at the Guggo


Richard Serra Posted by Hello

People look at a steel sculpture made by U.S. artist Richard Serra at the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Spain, Tuesday, June 7, 2005. The exhibition titled 'The matter of Time' will be opened to the public on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ander Gillenea)
.... ... .

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Bilbo: Yes to Peace

The blogosphere is going bananas over the two demonstrations held in both Bilbo and Madrid yesterday.

Here you have a picture of the one held in Bilbo, there is one simple message, the goal is a peaceful resolution that takes into consideration the voice of the Basque people.


Orain Bakea Posted by Hello

Supporters of banned Basque pro-independence party Batasuna march behind a banner reading in Basque, 'Now the people, Now peace', through the streets of Bilbao, northern Spain, June 4, 2005. In Madrid, an estimated crowd of 850,000 people march through the streets of the Spanish capital in opposition to a government offer for peace talks with the armed Basque separatist group ETA. REUTERS/Vincent West
.... ... .

Madrid: No to Dialogue

The PP organized a massive demonstration yesterday in Madrid to show their resolve to sink any initiative by Rodriguez Zapatero's government to stablish a dialogue with ETA aimed at negotiating an end of the violence generated by the armed group.

Such move towards peace has been celebrated among the Basque society, fully engaged in finding a resolution to the conflict.

The two main actors in yesterday's demonstration in Madrid were the Pocket-Size Francoist José María Aznar and his puppet, Mariano Rajoy.

The demonstration was allegedly called by AVT, and it was supposed to be in support of all the victims of terrorism.

Yet, the absence of two groups of victims puts in evidence that victims of violence were not exactly at the heart of this demonstration.

As we all know by now, the victims of 3/11 want nothing to do with AVT. They saw it clear during the proceedings by the 3/11 Comission that the AVT is controled by the PP.

But the real surprise came when "Basta Ya" also refused to take part. For years "Basta Ya" had been the PP's little darling in the Basque Country. At any chance they had, the people from this group would claim to be Basques that opposed self determination. But a few months ago, their leader Fernando Savater, realized they were being used to divide the Basque society, a simple tactic by totalitarian leaders like Aznar.

AVT says that dialogue with ETA is to betray the victims, they call Rodriguez Zapatero and phony for opening a line of dialogue. They conveniently forget to mention that Aznar and his PP also opened lines of dialogue with the armed group.

Double standard at its best!

The PP thugs are still upset for their electoral defeat that came as a result of them being caught red handed trying to profit politically from a terrible tragedy. And while they had their followers chanting rabidly against a dialogue to end the violence, against talks to have ETA giving up on their armed campaign, in Bilbo, thousands of Basques marched for peace.

That should tell "The West" a thing or two.


No Dialogue Posted by Hello

.... ... .

Friday, June 03, 2005

Basque Lullaby Redux

The upheaval created by the disclosure by Naomi Shemer that she had indeed lifted the tune for "Jerusalem of Gold" from the Basque lullaby "Pello Joxepe" gets a new perspective from the news outlet The Jewish Week.

The article goes into a few more tidibits about the story behind the song and how it became Israel's second national antem. Then it takes Uri Avnery to task for a piece I posted here with the title "Death of a Myth".

Finally, it mentions both Luistxo's blog "The English Cemetary" and this here blog "Ingeleraz":
A Basque blogger “Ingeleraz,” posted: “Now, let’s think about it, we are talking 1962, at that time Israel was still trying to consolidate itself, and the Basques were being oppressed by Franco and his Falangists. ... It is just natural that one of the songs would leave a mark on those who had the chance to go to the concert. ... Hopefully, the Israelis will learn a lesson from all this situation, and maybe they will come to accept the Basques for what we are.”

Another Basque blogger, Luistxo Fernandez, adds, “Nobody’s angry, here at the Basque country. We are such a little nation, we feel proud anytime anyone notices us for something good, a nice tune, for instance.”

That “nice tune” can be heard at www.eibar.org/blogak/luistxo, or at http://mp3enema.org/files/achi/joxepe.mp3. n
Luistxo already posted something regarding the note at The Jewish Week, but it was Blog in DM who pointed out that the media outlet did not post the url's for neither one of the blogs.

If you ask me, I find it amusing that Jonathan Mark did not attempt to contact the Eusko Etxea of New York for more info, or even one of the news outlets from Euskal Herria to get more opinions and instead quotes a couple of blogs.

Which is an honor, don't get me wrong. It comes to show that blogs are becoming an alternate way to gauge the average Joe's opinion on any given issue.

Shalom!

Bakea!

* You can also read the whole article at Artxiboak.

.... ... .

Jon Idígoras


Jon Idigoras Posted by Hello

Jon Idigoras, founder of the outlawed Basque separatist party Herri Batasuna, who died of emphysema at the age of 69, in Bilbao, June 3, 2005 in seen in Bilbao in this August 12, 2000 file photo. REUTERS/Vincent West

.... ... .

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Palm Trees in Donostia

Well, to my delight, Palm Trees posted pictures of Donostia (mainly at night).

His opinion of the Gipuzkoan city is a lot more benign than the one from Bilbo.

Enjoy the pics!

.... ... .

Kafkian, As Simple As That

Here we go again, one day Spain belongs in the XXI century, the next day it is back in 1940.

A judge in Madrid has decided that Otegi must stand trial, a few days after the Basque politician was released on bail. This is what Reuters tells us:
Spain's public prosecutor requested on Wednesday that the leader of a banned Basque party be charged with belonging to the separatist group ETA, saying there was evidence he could be one of its leaders.

In a document released on Wednesday, the prosecutor requested that Otegi be formally charged and said there was evidence that he could be a leader of ETA, the armed group that has killed about 850 people in its four-decade campaign for Basque independence.
Meaning, the half million they got was a ransom, not a bail.

Just how many western law principles can Spain violate on its repression of the Basques?

Here is a few that come to mind:

Burden of Proof: If Madrid says that Otegi is part of ETA's entorno, then it is up to Madrid to present all the evidence to back up the accusation. Two years after the banning of Batasuna we are yet to see any evidence.

Presumption of Innocence: Any person in a democracy is expected to be innocent of any charges leveled against her or him until proven guilty in a court of law. For the Spaniards that have Franco as someone to look up to, this simple principle does not apply for the Basques, the Basques are guilty until proven innocent.

Timely Trial: After the wheels of justice had been set in motion against an individual or a group, western societies expect that those indicted will be prosecuted within a certain time frame. There is Basques that have been in preventive prison for up to 4 years without any charges never pressed against them, and they walk "free" only after paying a hefty bail.

Arnaldo Otegi was accused of a very grave charge last week, yet, bail was set for him. How can a person charged of such serious crimes can walk away after paying some money?

Wouldn't that be self defeating?

If they have enough evidence to accuse him of terrorism, then he should be considered a dangerous individual, and as such, he should remain in jail until the time he is to face a trial.

Him walking tells the world evidence is not so damning. Yet, a week later, Madrid is back at it.

Only and idiot would be unable to smell the rotten fish in this whole matter.

Oh yes, but "The West" is too busy working towards the independence of Kosovo to even notice.

You can read the whole article here.

.... ... .