A Basque Goes to the ASP World Tour

Aritz Aranburu - Mundaka (Foto Artzai Gómez)00018
Originally uploaded by Artzai

This interview comes to us thanks to Surfline:

Aritz Aranburu First Ever Basque and Spanish Surfer To Qualify For The ASP World Tour

February 4, 2008
PRESS RELEASE

Name:Aritz Aranburu
Age: 22 years old
Lives in: Zarautz, Euskadi
Sponsors: Quiksilver, Pukas , DC

After almost a decade of competition and training, two runner-up places on the ASP Europe Junior ratings in 2005 and 2006, several wins on the European Pro Surf Tour events including his latest and mot exciting Zarautz Pro Surf crown at his home town of Zarautz, Basque Country, Aritz Aranburu has become the first ever Basque and Spanish surfer to get his ASP World Tour pass. It all started in Zarautz, world famous surf town of the Basque country which used to host some of the biggest events of the World Qualifying Series in the past. Being a smart and focused kid, Aranburu grew up fast with the right state of mind to become a champion. Always ready and fit, Aritz made his way to the top of surfing's hierarchy step by step, learning all the keys to becoming a professional surfer with great determination.

"My coach always told me that I had to get through every level to believe in my ASP World Tour chances. To become a top 45 member, I always had it clear that I had to be champion of my town first, then my country, then the ASP Juniors, then the ASP European Pro Surf Tour, etc... I missed out the Junior title twice but eventually got the 2007 European Pro Surf Tour championship, before finishng the year with this great qualification for the ASP World Tour. All I could hope for..." says Aranburu when asked about his career.

Since he became a full time WQS campaigner in 2006 where he impressed by his attitude and focus, getting a 3rd place finish in the O'Neill Highland Open 5 Star WQS, Aranburu lost no time and kept working hard to reach his goal. In 2007, he started the year with a win at the Hang Loose Pro 5 Star Prime WQS and then kept pursuing his dream, securing his elite spot in the second last event of the year, the Reef Haleiwa Pro 6 Star Prime WQS in Hawaii. Aritz Aranburu will be one of Europe's Fantastic Four to start at the end of the month his maiden ASP World Tour year, and we wanted to get a few words from the man himself.

1. You are the first Basque, and Spanish to make it to the top 45. How has it been at home? Crazy? Difficult?

Its been an amazing time... After my final in Lacanau, things got bigger and bigger at every event. When I won the Zarautz event at home, local people and were going crazy and I felt a big support. It was really nice to see how people get involved and support you because they feel like you can represent them well. I had a couple of great emotions, and off course some big parties to celebrate! I don't party a lot but when it comes with the results, it's just so good!

2. You secured your spot in Haleiwa with this beautiful semifinal. How was the end of the year?

The contest in Haleiwa was some big time.The waves were huge, powerful and massive but I was having a lot of fun every heat I was paddling out for. I got smashed a couple of times by really big sets but it ended very well for me. It was really amazing for me to end up the year like that. I feel like this semifinal in such a major event, and moreover in Hawaii, gave me a lot of confidence and I prooved to myself I could keep going this way. Perfect before the ASP World Tour kicks off, very soon...

3. You had a very focused and serious training in 2007. Do you feel prepared and fit to sur against some world champions?

I am definitely ready to face some of the big names of the top 45. I mean wouldn't I? I've been training hard, always focused on my targets and I will keep going like this for the whole year. Everything starts now, because once you are on tour, you don't want to miss it because of stupid mistakes. The only thing I've had on my mind so far is to start the tour with the best feeling possible, regarding mental and physical aspects, and boards.

4. What about the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and its Superbank?

I just love this wave. I've been surfing there for a few winters now and I can't wait to hit the water for my first heat of the year.

About ASP

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing's undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the Foster's ASP World Tour, the ASP Women's World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world's best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

I find the insistence on adding "and Spanish" right after the mentions that Aritz is Basque quite amusing. Makes me wonder why the main stream media does not rely on the "ethnic Basque" label like they do with the "ethnic Albanians" from Kosovo.

.... ... .

Honoring Homosexuals

This note is going to make a lot of people mad, specially within the ranks of the Partido Popular and the Spanish chapter of the Catholic Church.

It was published today by EITb:

Life

At Basque prison

Homage to homosexuals pursued by Franco’s regime

02/03/2008

The Basque Government paid tribute to the homosexuals pursued by Franco’s regime at a Basque prison.

The Basque Government paid tribute to homosexuals and transsexuals who suffered persecution, repression and imprisonment under Franco’s dictatorship because “they were heroes, able to survive the regime that neither recognized them, nor admitted them”, said Javier Madrazo, the responsible of the Basque communist party EB.

Madrazo led Sunday the homage at the Basque prison of Nanclares de la Oca, an act to pay tribute to this group pursued by Franco’s regime in accordance with the laws of “Layabouts and Criminals” and “Dangerousness and Social Rehabilitation”.

Apart from Madrazo, many Basque important figures also attended the act.

Juan Soto, one of the main figures

Juan Soto was imprisoned in Nanclares de la Oca in 1944 for being homosexual and being member of a Republican family. A video of him was screened during Sunday’s act.

There, he reminded everybody that “they were despised by people of the two camps” because even those who did not support Franco’s dictatorship used to tell him: “You should be ashamed of yourself, you are a communist’s son and you are just a fag”.

Several members of groups of lesbians and transsexuals also attended the act.

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Pro Ibarretxe Campaign

As I reported a few days back, Zapatero is using a shady internet network set in place by Aznar and the Spanish extreme right to try and torpedo a presentation by the Basque Autonomous Community's prime minister Ibarretxe at California's Stanford University.

So far Provost Etchemendy was the only one fending off the savage hordes of fascist minded Spaniards. Well, EITB released a note today of a Basque initiative to come to his aid.

Here it is:

Politics

Manifest

Signatures to support Basque premier’s visit to Stanford

02/02/2008

After two people began an Internet campaign against Basque Premier’s visit to Stanford’s university, now here comes the answer.

“In defense of our institutions” is the initiative released online to garner signatures in favor of the report named “The wind of freedom blows”. It is a report to defend the Basque premier, the person who represents all the Basque citizens. “The wind of freedom blows”, “we want to express our support for the freedom of speech of the maximum representative of the Basques throughout the world”, it is written on the report.

This manifest has been done as a counterpoint to the campaign that two youngsters began online against an academic act which will take place at Stanford University on the 14th February 2008 and to which the Basque premier, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, has been invited.

Those who protest against Ibarretxe’s visit say on their web page that the Basque premier sympathizes with the Basque armed group ETA and for that reason he should not attend the conference.

Now, the driving forces of the report “The wind of freedom blows” request Stanford University “to disregard the petitions of groups that pretend to obstruct freedom of speech”. “We do this in the name of one of the sacred principles which have inspired this prestigious institution, namely: "love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", they add.

Those who have signed defend “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

Now lets see how many signatures will be gathered, the Spaniards got 3000 in a two week period.

Here you have the link to the page where you can sign if you wish to support Ibarretxe (the Basque politician), Etchemendy (the Stanford provost of Basque descent), Arrillaga (the Basque millionaire who donated a whole Football field to Stanford) and Garamendi (the Californian politician of Basque descent):

Gure Erakundeen Alde

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Euskera Lessons in Japan

Some excellent news regarding Euskara, the Basque language, come our way thanks to EITB:

Life

Euskera

Three Japanese universities want to teach Euskera

01/31/2008

But the agreements to promote the Basque language in the Asiatic Continent do not finish just there. Basque government chief officer is at this moment in Philippines trying to promote new initiatives.

Three Japanese universities are interested in giving classes of Euskera in their lecture rooms, becoming the second one since Waseda University already gives these lessons in Tokyo.

According to Basque Culture Department these centers would be the University of Sofia, in Tokyo, Kansai Gaida, in Osaka and the one in Kobe.

But the agreements to promote Basque Language studies in Asia do not end just there, since Vice Councilor of Basque Government’s Political Linguistics, Patxi Baztarrika, and program’s director, Lorea Bilbao, are now in Philippines where they will attend several meetings with vice chancellors at Ateneo de Manila University and Nueva Vizcaya State University.

The program began three years ago with the intention of formalizing agreements with universities of different countries. Nowadays, 24 universities in 12 countries of America and Europe give lessons of Euskera, with a total of 700 students.

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Hope

This note appeared today at Deutsche Welle:

Southern Europe | 01.02.2008

Basques Hope for Change Despite Setbacks

Statehood remains an elusive goal for Basque nationalists. Yet there's continued hope that they can follow the example of other European countries and find a peaceful resolution to their ongoing conflict with Spain.

There are plenty of reasons for Basques to be optimistic about the future. Joseba Azkarraga, the region's minister for justice, employment and social security, lists a few of them: income levels in the mountainous northern corner of Spain are among the highest in Europe, unemployment is a low 2.5 percent and the poverty rate is 3.7 percent.

And a bit farther afield, there's Kosovo, which is on the brink of declaring independence from Serbia.

Kosovo proves that new states can form in Europe, Azkarraga said. Just as they cheered on Montenegro's independence after a referendum in 2006 and were buoyed by the recent success of the Scottish Nationalist Party, Basque nationalists are watching what is happening in Kosovo "with respect and interest," Azkarraga said.

"I am an optimist," Azkarraga said of the chances his own region has for independence from Spain. "You simply can't impose identities. A lot of us consider ourselves Basques and Europeans only. We are not Spanish and we are not French."

Search for an identity

The Basque region has long been the summer destination for Spain's elite. Its crown jewel, San Sebastian, is a string of white sand beaches at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. The city hosts a major international film festival each year. Further south, the industrial city of Bilbao has become a cultural destination in its own right since the architecturally stunning Guggenheim museum opened in 1997.

Basques are incredibly proud of their heritage and have always maintained a sense of separateness from Spain. The Basque language, whose origins continue to confound linguists, was outlawed during the four decade-long dictatorship of Francisco Franco, as were all signs of Basque nationalism. But many Basques remained unhappy with the autonomous status they were handed after Franco’s death in 1975 and the subsequent transition to democracy.

The Basque separatist group, ETA, has been fighting for an independent Basque state in northwestern Spain and southwestern France since the 1960s. ETA is considered a terrorist group by both Spain and the European Union and is blamed for 800 deaths.

ETA remains a major problem for moderate nationalists like Azkarraga. His Basque Solidarity Party (EA) condemns violence as do the EA's coalition partners the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). Yet the ongoing violence has sabotaged any possibility of meaningful dialogue between the Spanish and Basque governments, Azkarraga said.

In the end, it's Basque nationalism that suffers, Azkarraga said.

Calls for change

A recent poll showed that 60 percent of Basques are unhappy with the current state of democracy in their region, despite a high level of self-government. Yet there's no clear consensus on what they want from Spain. Some Basque nationalists want reform of the current status as an autonomous region. Others push for a federal system and still others advocate out-and-out independence.

There is, however, general agreement among Basque nationalists that the region should get a chance to decide its future for itself.

The Basque region's premier, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, has vowed to hold a "peace vote" on Oct. 25 that would condemn ETA and demand Madrid sit down with Basque political parties and talk about options for reforming the current system.

Both of Spain's main political parties, the Socialists and the People's Party, are currently gearing up for hotly contested national elections in March. Both have been unequivocal in condemning Ibarretxe's suggestion and insist that the vote has no legal basis.

Return to violence

The current political impasse is a stark contrast to the euphoria in the Basque region just over a year ago. J.P. Linstroth, a leading scholar on Basque issues with Nova Southeastern University in the US state of Florida, visited the region after ETA declared a permanent cease-fire in March 2006. He said there was a lot of optimism that the violence had ended.

A few weeks after he left, ETA then set a bomb off in the parking garage of Madrid's Barajas Airport, killing two people. The terrorist group maintained the cease-fire was still in force, but called it of in June 2006.

Since then, Basque nationalism has been in a crisis, said Linstroth. Basque political activists have faced judicial scrutiny and arrest for alleged ties to ETA.

"I think there are a lot of angry people who feel disenfranchised and caught in the middle," Linstroth said.

Gorka Espiau is a long-time peace activist and an advisor to the Basque government on current peace programs taking place in cities around the region. He agrees that there is a certain amount of pessimism because of the return of violence.

During the cease-fire, "we were very optimistic" he said. "With the killings and bombings happening again, it creates a very depressing atmosphere for everybody. We thought this was something we left in the past."

Hope for a peaceful future

In January, ETA promised "long years of conflict" in a rare interview with the Basque newspaper Gara. In the same interview, ETA cited Kosovo and Scotland as models for independence and offered them as proof that the goal of breaking away from Spain is not a utopian fantasy.

Espiau also sees Kosovo as offering hope, but for a different reason. Kosovo's situation is very different, but it does show that the future of a nation can be negotiated. He said the same goes for Belgium and Scotland.

Espiau said he hopes the EU will support the Basque region's effort to hold a "peace vote" that would open a dialogue with the Spanish government. For the most part, the EU has maintained that the Basque problems are internal and has refrained from getting involved.

Paul Rios, who coordinates Lokarri, a group which advocates dialogue instead of violence in the Basque region, said when looked at from a long-term point of view, there is reason for optimism. He's called the ETA a dinosaur. It's the last violent national conflict in Western Europe and with the vast majority of society against ETA, the group simply can't last much longer, he feels.

"It's one thing to say that the situation today is very complicated," Rios said. "But we are on an irreversible road to peace."

Trinity Hartman

Even more important, we are on an irreversible road to independence, despite setbacks and despite the violence generated by Madrid and Paris.

.... ... .

Nothing Has Changed / Ezer Ez Da Aldatu

The Basque newspaper Gara is broadcasting this video produced by TAT.

This is the text that goes with the video:

Once again, you will read the report we didn't want to write. The report which collects the testimonies of people who have known the hell. This year the report has 42 testimonies, ¿when will come the last one?

At the same time, people who have suffered torture in the last 30 years have looked us to the eyes and have composed a poem. We have recorded them in a DVD. The look in their eyes and their words. The eyes and the words that have known the darkness.

XXIst Century, 8th year. When the hushed up screams of the tortured people will wake us up?

On sale with Gara newspaper on saturday 9th of February and sunday 10th of February. 9,95€

We must demand from Madrid to stop the widespread practice of torture against the Basques and many other groups that are easy prey to the repressive forces in authoritarian Spain represented by Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and led by Juan Carlos Borbon.

.... ... .

Basque Cook Book

This note comes to us thanks to Review.com:

Cooking with flair

By Phyllis Stein-Novack
January 31, 2008

During a Book and The Cook dinner at Fork in the late 1990s, I met chef Teresa Barrenechea, the owner of Marichu in New York City. I looked forward to tasting her cuisine because she is from the Basque region in the north of Spain and I had never tasted dishes from that area.

We automatically think of gazpacho and paella, two of Spain’s most famous creations prepared all over the United States. Tapas have been a big craze here for the past few years. People who live in Spain would not dream of making a dinner from little dishes. They enjoy tapas with a glass of sherry in the late afternoon and usually eat dinner at about 10 p.m.

Barrenechea’s book, “The Basque Table: Passionate Home Cooking from One of Europe’s Great Regional Cuisines,” is the perfect primer for those who want to become familiar with and cook the foods of Basque.

The region is nestled in the Bay of Biscay so fish and shellfish play a prominent part. The mountains and valleys afford fine grazing land for sheep. Duck also is a favorite.

Several weeks ago, I roasted duck for Edward, cousin Carl and me. I simply sprinkled it with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. It was delicious. I recently came across Barrenechea’s recipe. She uses tart apples and I can’t wait to try it.

Here are recipes from her cookbook:

Roasted Duck (Pato Asado)

Ingredients:

~ 1 4-pound duck
~ Salt
~ 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of olive oil
~ 2 medium onions, chopped
~ 2 carrots, sliced
~ 3 firm tart apples such as Granny Smith or Fuji, peeled, cored and cut into 6 wedges
~ 10 dates
~ 1 cup of white wine

Directions:

Lightly sprinkle the duck inside and out with the salt. Using a small sharp knife, make several slits in the skin to release the fat during roasting.

In a flame-proof casserole, heat the oil over high. Add the duck and cook for about 15 minutes, turning several times, until golden on all sides.

Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and carrots, and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the onions soften. Add the apples and dates and mix well. Continue cooking, covered, over medium-low for about 15 minutes, until the apples and carrots start to soften. Add the wine, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Lift the duck from the casserole dish and carve.

Heat the remaining contents of the pan and serve as a sauce.

Serves four.

Note from Phyllis: Purée the fruits and vegetables in a blender if you want a creamy sauce for the duck.

* * *

Homestyle Roasted Potatoes (Patatas Panaderas)

Ingredients:

~ 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise 1/8-inch thick
~ 2 red onions, cut into thin strips or rings
~ 1/4 cup of olive oil
~ Salt
~ Ground white pepper, optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine all of the ingredients and toss well. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and slightly crisp around the edges.

Serve immediately.

Serves eight to 10.

* * *

Baked Mushrooms (Setas al Horno)

Ingredients:

~ 1 pound of medium shiitake mushrooms, wiped clean and stemmed
~ 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil
~ 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of flat-leaf parsley, minced
~ 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of garlic, minced
~ Salt, to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Lightly rub a shallow baking pan with some oil. Arrange the mushrooms in the pan.

In a small bowl, whisk the oil, parsley and garlic together. Season with the salt. Spoon some onto each mushroom.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until the mushrooms are softened and lightly browned.

Serve immediately.

Serves four to six.

Note from Phyllis: Barrenechea says in the Basque Country, this dish is often a first course with bread fried in olive oil, but she likes to serve it as a side dish, as well.

* * *

Pears with Red Rioja Wine

Ingredients:

~ 4 large firm pears, such as Bosc or Bartlett, peeled, halved lengthwise and cored
~ 4 cups of red Rioja wine
~ 2/3 cup of sugar
~ 1 cinnamon stick
~ 2 tablespoons of strawberry or raspberry preserves

Directions:

In a saucepan just large enough to hold them comfortably, combine the pears with the wine, sugar and cinnamon. Bring the contents to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low and cook for about 30 minutes. The pears should be fork tender. When done, lift them from the pan and set aside to cool.

Discard the cinnamon stick. Add the preserves to the pan and boil for about five minutes, stirring constantly, until the preserves melt and the sauce is smooth.

Serve two pear halves on each plate and spoon the sauce over them.

Serves four.

Note from Phyllis: Deep red fragrant Florida strawberries are now in season. Place the strawberries in a food processor for a coulis to serve with the pears.

Now that Phillys is so interested in Basque cuisine maybe she should try and learn more about Basque history so she can begin to understand why gazpacho and paella have nothing to do with the Basque Country. That way maybe she will stop referring to Euskal Herria as a "region" of Spain.

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The Poisonous Issue

More about Kosovo and how the push for independence of the "ethnic" Albanians is wreaking havoc in Europe.

The note you're about to read was published at a news outlet from India with its own issues concerning breakaway nations.

Here you have it:

EU states vow not to recognise Kosovo's independence bid

2 Feb 2008, 0743 hrs IST,AFP

ATHENS: As the European Union struggles for a unified response to Kosovo's expected declaration of independence, several EU states - mainly those near the Serb province - fear the move could destabilise the historically volatile Balkan region.

"Certain countries fear that a unilateral declaration of independence threatens peace in the Balkans, while others are concerned about a negative precedent in international law," a European diplomat in Athens said.

"And then there is Spain, which faces its own separatist movement," he said.

Romania, Cyprus and Slovakia were the loudest to state their opposition this week, all vowing not to recognise Kosovo if it declares independence.

Greece and Bulgaria are also wary of potentially explosive border changes in their area while Spain and Slovakia cannot ignore the possible effects on their respective Basque and Hungarian minorities.

Spain faces an additional challenge as its northeastern region of Catalonia has long sought greater autonomy.

"What message are we sending to multi-ethnic societies or to other states that are facing ethnic issues or frozen conflicts?" Romanian President Traian Basescu said in a conference in Brussels.

"We could be casting a shadow on the United Nations charter and the Helsinki Final Act," he said, adding that these are "laws which guaranteed 60 years of peace in Europe".

Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis struck a similar tone on Friday after a meeting with Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic, arguing that unilateral steps have "a great destabilisation potential".

Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders are expected to announce in coming days that they are breaking away from Serbia, a move opposed by Belgrade and its ally Russia.

The United States stands ready to recognise an independent Kosovo, as are many European Union states, with the EU set to deploy a justice mission to the territory to help oversee the transition from UN to local rule.

Greece has not publicly said whether it will recognise Kosovo, but the Greeks are averse to a unilateral move influenced by external pressure, says Theodore Kouloumbis from the Greek Foundation for Foreign and European Politics (ELIAMEP), pointing to Washington's keen interest in the affair.

Bulgaria - which has a 350-kilometre (220-mile) border with Serbia and lies only 45 kilometres east of Kosovo - is just as guarded in its statements.

"We will not be among the states to immediately recognise an independent Kosovo," Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said Wednesday, while his foreign minister last month said that Bulgaria's position is "closer to that of the US than that of Russia."

Cyprus - which holds elections on February 17 - has seen all this before.

The island has been divided into ethnic Greek and Turkish parts since 1974, and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared independence in 1983, though it is only recognised by Turkey.

"Cyprus, for reasons of principle, cannot recognise and will not recognise a unilateral declaration of independence," Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis said on Thursday.

"This is an issue of principle, of respect of international law, but also an issue of concern that it will create a precedent in international relations," Erato added.

In Spain's case, Kosovo is already being held up as an example by separatists in the northern Basque Country.

In January, leaders of armed Basque separatist group ETA sought to justify their own push for independence from Spain by naming Kosovo and Scotland as examples in an interview in the online edition of Basque newspaper Gara.

The unnamed ETA leaders pointed to the example of Kosovo and Scotland to argue that the group "is not talking about utopias".

While Spain officially refuses to link the two cases, Spanish officials privately admit that Kosovo is a "poisonous" issue for Madrid.

The funny thing is that while the "ethnic" Albanians started talking about independence barely ten years ago, the Basques have been demanding to get their sovereignty back for the last five hundred years, so, who is setting the example for whom?

And how come that the AFP never mentions the KLN when referring to Kosovo? Have they forgotten how many "ethnic" Serbian civilians have been murdered since NATO forces started shielding the "ethnic" Albanian armed group?

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Inquisidors Against EHAK and ANV

The wheels of apartheid and authoritarianism against Basque society were set in motion yet again, this time the Spanish Inquisidors have decided to finally open fire against two Basque political parties.

Here you have the note from EITb:

Politics

Bans

Prosecutors to take legal actions against ANV and EHAK members

02/01/2008

Apart from taking legal actions against the parties itself, the public prosecutors will also request to accuse ANV and EHAK members.

Spanish High Court prosecutors requested Friday the judge Baltasar Garzón to ban all the activities of the Basque leftist parties ANV and EHAK before February 11, deadline to present the list of candidates to stand in the March 9 election.

The prosecutor requested the ban of all political activities, the closure of all the offices and the participation in the votes of the two Basque parties.

Spain’s director of Public Prosecutions Cándido Conde-Pumpido said last week that the request to outlaw the two Basque parties, Basque Nationalist Action and the Communist Party of the Basque Lands, is based on arguments that say both parties are part of Batasuna, which was outlawed by the Supreme Court in 2003 on grounds that it is part of the armed group ETA.

The Spain's Public Prosecutor's Office tried to show that Batasuna, in order to get around this ban, turned to two little-known, practically dormant parties and had them field candidates.

.... ... .

Eusko Flickr : Arte en Bilbao

Arte en Bilbao
Originally uploaded by jl_ibarruri