Puerto Rico's Freedom Fighters

This is the Editorial at Workers World:

Self-determination! But where?

Published Apr 24, 2008 1:54 AM

In February it was Kosovo. In April, Tibet. Can the ruling classes in the imperialist countries, those world-class oppressors, suddenly be major supporters of self-determination?

Only when it suits their interests.

The French and Spanish rulers repress self-determination in the Basque Country, the British keep their troops in the northern counties of Ireland and—closer to home—Washington sends the FBI into its closest colonial possession, Puerto Rico, to harass, frequently arrest, and sometimes kill independence activists.

In mid-April, Puerto Rican independence activist Miguel Viqueira was about to leave his home for work when FBI agents showed up, armed and with bulletproof vests, insulting and threatening him. That same morning the FBI spread their bad will around, approaching Tania Delgado Soto from Rio Piedras. Both are members of the “Nueva Escuela” or New School in Puerto Rico, not to be confused with the university in New York.

In the case of these two activists, after the FBI harassed them, the agents left without showing any judicial papers or warrants that would allow them to arrest or question the two. There were reports of others being harassed.

The continued efforts of the FBI and other U.S. police agencies to interfere with the rights of Puerto Ricans who believe their country has the right to sovereignty and self-determination should be protested by all in the progressive movement. Some already joined the April 21 protest at Federal Plaza in New York, a worthy target of protest. There will certainly be other opportunities to show solidarity with the Puerto Rican activists, who are freedom fighters really close to home.

When the imperialist ruling class starts to champion some national group demanding autonomy or secession, it’s time to get suspicious. Ask these rulers’ representatives if they are also going to support the self-determination of the oppressed nations in their own sphere of influence. It isn’t hard to predict their answer.

Our solidarity to our Puerto Rican fellow freedom fighters.

Gora Puerto Rico!

PS. Hawaii, is your turn.

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Gernika : The Assembly Chamber

This information comes to us thanks to EITb:

Fiestas & traditions

The "Casa de Juntas"

The Assembly Chamber of Gernika

04/27/2008

It is, without a doubt, the place where the heart of the Old Laws of the Basque Country lies.

This is the very heart of the Assembly House, the Casa de Juntas, where the Plenary Meetings of the General Assemblies of Biscay are held. An ancient institution, the origins of the General Assemblies date back to the Middle Ages, when meetings were held, as tradition demanded, in the open air around the Tree of Gernika.

Originally, a small hermitage (Santa María La Antigua) was to be found nearby, where a religious service was held prior to political events and where the act of swearing to respect the Old Laws (Fueros) also took place. With the passage of time, the General Assemblies moved their meetings into that small ecclesiastical enclosure.

From 1826 onwards, seeking premises more in accordance with the needs of the institution, the initial church was demolished to make way for the construction of the current building, for which the architect Antonio de Etxebarria took responsibility. Maintaining that tradition of close relationship between public life and religion, the Assembly Chamber was designed as a space capable of combining both functions.

We are, therefore, before a Church-Parliament. Although the ecclesiastical aspect has currently been relegated by politics, both the altar and the holy water fonts are still maintained as witnesses of bygone days. The paintings in the Chamber occupy a place of importance in its decoration. On the one hand, we find a gallery of portraits painted by Sebastián de Galbarriartu and the Bustrín brothers in the XVII century, representing the different Lords or Seigniors of Biscay. Above these paintings, ten cartouches remember the dates when some of the Lords of Biscay swore to respect the Old Laws.

All these items refer not only to the existence of the authority of the Lord of Biscay but also his obligation to swear respect and observance to the set of Old Laws (Fueros) that the community had drawn up, based on usage and custom.

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Gernika : 71st Anniversary

The Spaniards would prefer that the international press would stop including the bombing of the town of Gernik (Guernica) back in April of 1937. They've tried hard to cast a web of lies and misconceptions from day one.

But even if they succeed at convincing the media outlets to stop reminding people about the genocidal crime committed that infamous day, we, the Basques, will continue to commemorate the day in which innocent civilians were murdered by the Fascist powers of the time (Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy and Franco's Spain). And we will continue to remind the international community that Francisco Franco did not end up his career as his mentors did, no, he died in his bed of old age and to this date not one of his henchmen and underlings has ever been tried for the crimes committed by his murderous regime.

This note appeared today at EITb:

Life

Homage

71st anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika

04/26/2008

The prize giving ceremony of the 5th edition of Gernika Awards for Peace and Reconciliation will be celebrated in the morning. The prizes go to Cándido Seseta, and Dekha Ibrahim Abdi.

Gernika commemorates today the 71st anniversary of the Bombing of this Biscayan town in the Basque Country by German air force leaded by general Franco with several events which include the prize giving ceremony of the 5th edition of Gernika Awards for Peace and Reconciliation.

According to the town council in Gernika, the Bombing commemoration events will start with the presentation of the book El Bombardeo de Gernika (The Bombing of Gernika) in Lizeo Antzokia Theater.

Later, there will be a meeting with Michel Janper, representative of Children of War association, and Johan Block, a member of Family of the executed in War collective.

The prize giving ceremony of the 5th edition of Gernika Awards for Peace and Reconciliation will also be celebrated in the morning which go to two people: One of them, the Basque army commander Cándido Seseta Etxebarria, died in February 1937 when he was attacking with his "gudaris" ( Basque soldiers) an enemy position trying to get Oviedo back for the Republic, and second to the Kenyan woman Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, awarded with the Alternative Nobel Prize 2007 after showing that religious and other kind of differences can be reconciled in several ethnic and cultural situations.

The events will continue in the afternoon and at 16:30 (coinciding with the moment when the bombing started over the town) a prayer for the dead and a floral offering for the people who died in the bombing will take place at the mausoleum of the cemetery in Zallo (Gernika). Among other important figures, institutional representatives and Basque politicians will be in this event.

According to the major of this town, José María Gorroño, "It will be a special day today, in which we will remember the hundreds of died and injured people who lived that horror, which marked us forever".

Let us remember that the Spanish government has never apologized for the bombing of innocent Basque civilians in Durango and Gernika (Guernica). More so, they are proud of what they did just like they are proud of what they did in America 500 years ago when they leveled entire civilizations murdering millions of people, this is why even today the Spanish people celebrate their national day on Octobert 12th.

Unable to unshackle their minds, the Spaniards have tried hard to enslave the Basque spirit. They have failed, time and again.

The Basques will prevail.

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Eusko Flickr : Stone Path

Stone Path
Originally uploaded by Jordi C

Support for Ivan Apaolaza

This information was published at Pacific Free Press:

Ivan Apaolaza Sacho: Still in Jail

by The Freedom for Ivan Committee

In Montreal, Ivan Apaolaza Sancho - a 36 year old Basque refugee claimant and political prisoner - has been in detention for over ten months.

Ivan is accused of having been a member of the ETA (an armed nationalist Basque organization); an accusation that he denies. He has been detained at Rivière des prairies Detention Centre since June 2007 and faces deportation solely on the basis of accusations made by the Spanish state; no actual evidence to support the allegations has been presented.

Moreover, the allegations themselves seem to come from a confession obtained under torture (see below). If the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) Commissioner accepts those allegations, Ivan faces deportation to Spain where he expects further arbitrary detention and possible torture.

Update from the Freedom for Ivan Committee

Ivan is one of hundreds of Basque political prisoners, held at the behest of the Spanish state, often with the complicity of other states like Canada.

For centuries, the Spanish state has inflicted intense and cruel repression on the Basque left-sovereignist movement (which enjoys broad support in Basque society). Today, following in Franco's footsteps, the state continues to use political repression as it attempts to dismantle the Basque movement's base of social support.

Of the 18,721 people arrested in Basque country for political reasons between 1977 and 2002, 9200 people served jail time, 5300 people reported having been tortured, and 9 people were murdered during police interrogations.

On 24 March, the newly formed Freedom for Ivan committee organized a press conference in Montreal to publish evidence indicating that all of the allegations against Ivan originate from the "confession" a Basque woman made under torture while she was held incommunicado by Spanish police.

Ivan's committee and lawyers called on Stockwell Day to immediately release Ivan and cease Canadian complicity in torture.

The following day, Ivan's lawyers argued in an IRB hearing that the case against Ivan should be thrown out for lack of evidence and because there are reasonable grounds to believe that the allegations are based on information obtained under torture, which is inadmissable under Canadian law.

French legal expert Didier Rouget testified that Canada could also be breaking international law if it deported Ivan on that basis. The hearing will resume on 25 April.

In the meantime, Ivan underwent another routine detention review. Just two days before Political Prisoner day, the IRB Commissioner had another opportunity to cease participating in torture and repression - but refused.

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Basque-Style Chicken

This recipe comes to us courtesy of The Philadelphia Enquirer:

Basque-Style Chicken

Makes 2 servings

2 boneless, skinless chicken
breasts, each 7 ounces
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced shallot 1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as pinot grigio
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/8 teaspoon Espelette pepper (see note)
3 sprigs thyme
1/2 cup diced tomato, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1/4 cup nicoise olives

1. Place each chicken breast between two large pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet or heavy skillet, pound each breast until it is uniformly about one-quarter-inch thick. Season each piece with one-fourth teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Place each breast on top of a large piece of plastic wrap or wax paper.

2. In a large skillet, heat the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken, one piece at a time, and saute until golden-brown, about 21/2 minutes on the first side and 30 seconds on the other. Remove the chicken to a plate. Set aside in a warm place.

3. Drain the excess fat from the pan and add the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until browned, about 2 minutes. Add the shallot and saute for 1 minute, until tender, then add the garlic and saute just until aromatic, a few seconds, being careful not to brown. Add the wine, stirring to scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan.

4. Stir in the chicken broth, the Espelette pepper, thyme and tomato. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes so that the flavors develop. Stir in the olives.

5. Add the chicken back to the pan, spooning the sauce over it. Cook for 1 minute, then remove the chicken to a plate. Spoon the sauce evenly over each piece, and serve immediately.

- From Los Angeles Times test kitchen director Donna Deane.

Note: Espelette pepper is available at specialty food stores. Also, you can substitute canned San Marzano tomatoes for fresh tomatoes.

Per serving: 515 calories; 45 grams protein; 6 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 30 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 135 milligrams cholesterol; 1,144 milligrams sodium.

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Sports and Traditions

This article appeared today at EITb:

Fiestas & traditions

Early origins of the Basques

Basque rural sports

04/24/2008

Basque sports derive from the daily chores of farmers and fishermen, and are therefore sports of strength.

Basque rural sports are recreational activities that are closely linked to local traditions, and form an integral part of the country’s customs. Many of these activities are rooted in the early origins of the Basque people and the evolution of their rural world, which revolved mainly around the central figure of the family farmhouse.

Basque sports, which derive from the daily chores of farmers and fishermen, are therefore sports of strength. The main events in rural sports tournaments are idi probak (stone dragging races), aizkolariak (wood chopping), harrijasotzaileak (stone lifting), segalariak (grass cutting), korrikalariak (running), boloak (skittles), sokatira (tug-of-war), trontzalariak (log sawing) and ahari jokoa (ram fights).

Strength and competitiveness are very valued by the Basque people, who for centuries evolved under very harsh conditions imposed by the environment. Another important part of such events is betting, where both participants and spectators bet against the different possible outcomes.

Aizkolariak or log cutting competitions are perhaps the most popular of Basque rural sports. The activity is basically a test of stamina, and has many different varieties and variations.

Harrijasotzaileak or stone lifting is perhaps the oldest example of traditional Basque sports. The size and shape of the stones vary.

Idi probak or stone dragging competitions are one of the most typical rural sports. The stone, which can vary in weight from 1,500 to 4,500 kilos, is dragged around the town square by a pair of oxen for as long as possible.

Soka-tira or tug-of-war is an ancient sport that is played all over the world. Two teams pull from the opposite ends of a rope trying to bring the opposing team to their half of the field.

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Eusko Flickr : Elorrio (Bizkaia)

Elorrio (Bizkaia)
Originally uploaded by basajauntxo

Another Day, Another Trial

Once again the Spanish government flexes its muscle and puts on trial members of a Basque human rights' organization. Knowing that the entire world is distracted by the Olympic torch and the Tibetan massive demonstrations of support Rodriguez Zapatero continues the oppressive offensive against Basque society in ways that would make Francisco Franco proud.

Here you have this note appeared at EITb:

Politics

Basque left-wing organizations

Trial against pro-amnesty Basque organization starts in Spain

04/21/2008

Twenty-seven members of pro-amnesty Basque organizations are suspected of aiding the armed Basque group ETA through a network of social and political organizations.

A trial against 27 members of pro-amnesty Basque organizations started on Monday in Spain's High Court.

The 27 people, members of the Basque left-wing organizations Gestoras Pro Amnistía, Askatasuna, Behatokia and Senideak, are suspected of aiding the armed Basque group ETA through a network of social and political organizations.

On Monday, all of them refused to answer questions by the Spanish public prosecutor.

The case stemmed from an eight-year inquiry by Baltasar Garzon, Spain's leading anti-terror investigator. Garzon alleged that ETA was not just made up of armed commandos but also had support through political, financial and media organizations. The defendants were accused of belonging to these groups, some of which have been outlawed.

The organizations engaged in activities ranging from giving support to ETA members in prison and helping ETA find new targets to recruiting new members and gathering worthy data from the summaries, Garzon has charged.

And as we all know, for Garzon all Basques are guilty from the start, so the last thing we can expect is a fair trial.

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To The Top 50

This note comes to us courtesy of EITb:

Life

Recognition

Four Basque restaurants among world’s top 50

04/22/2008

They are Mugaritz, Arzak, Martín Berasategi and Etxebarri Grillroom. Ferrán Adriá’s Bulli restaurant got the first place among world’s top 50 for the third time. The awards are given by the magazine Restaurant.

Four Basque restaurants are among world’s top 50, according to the gastronomic magazine Restaurant.

The restaurants are the following: Mugaritz (fourth place), Arzak (eighth place), Martín Berasategi (29th place), and Etxebarri Grillroom (44th place).

Bulli restaurant, which belongs to the Catalan chef Ferran Adriá, has been elected world’s best restaurant for three consecutive years.

The S. Pellegrino prize-giving ceremony took place on Monday, in the gala organized by Restaurant magazine.

This restaurant continues its spell of good luck due to Adriá’s creativity, internationally known as “cookery alchemist”, for his habit to experiment with food.

Chef Heston Blumenthal’s British restaurant The Fat Duck, placed in Berkshire (west of London), got the second place, followed by the Paris’ Pierre Gagnaire restaurant.

The way for election

The prizes, given for seven years, are based on the votes given by a panel of international judges, collectively known as the Nespresso World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy.

Almost 700 chefs and restaurant critics form the Academy. Restaurant magazine’s readers also have the right to vote.

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