SPAIN: Demonstrations and Blasts Shake Basque Region [27 October 2008]

Summary: Basques protests at the judicial declaration of the planned referendum on independence and two bombings at train stations in the Basque region indicate this long-running separatist movement in Spain may be regaining momentum.

Development: Up to 200,000 joined protests in the Basque area of Spain on Saturday.  The protest occurred on the same day a referendum was to be held to on the question of independence for the Basque Region. The vote was backed by the nationalist government of the Basque province, but was declared unconstitutional by the Spanish Supreme Court. Two explosions created by homemade explosives and Molotov Cocktails rocked two Basque train stations early that day. While there were no human casualties, considerable damage was caused to the ceiling of one station, and two ticket machines at the other. No one has taken credit for the bombings, but the authorities opened.

Analysis: This is one of the largest pro-independence protests this year and comes after Basque nationalists failed to push their demand for independence through the Spanish legal system. Clearly, Madrid is yet to resolve the Basque issue and faces the prospect of more radicalized Basque youth joining separatist organizations. ETA is likely to step up its recruitment efforts, strengthening the organization. The train station bombings are similar to previous ETA attacks, but some differences remain. Usually calls are made to the target as a warning in order to insure that there are no civilian casualties, although the early morning blasts were probably timed to avoid casualties. The ETA usually claims its attacks, instead of leaving them open to question. This opens the possibility that these attacks could have been the work of unaffiliated young Basque nationalists, or another group altogether.  Presumably, the official investigation will indicate the likely perpetrators.

[Christopher Estrada]

SPAIN: Mass Graves to be Opened [21 October 2008]

Summary:  The forensic investigation of nineteen mass graves from the Spanish Civil War, which may also contain evidence of Franco Era disappearances, is bound to be contentious, but may also enable Spain to confront and deal with darker elements of its past.

Development: Judge Baltasar Garzon, a Spanish judge known for crimes against humanity cases, has announced that he will lead investigations into Franco Era disappearances. He has ordered the opening of 19 mass graves and is hoping to find the reasons for at least 114,000 of the over 500,000 deaths. The graves date back to the Spanish civil war in 1936, but were also used until Franco’s death in 1975. In his 68-page report, Grazon claims that supporters of Franco committed crimes against humanity using illegal permanent detentions. 

Analysis: This investigation is very controversial and is being criticized by opposition political parties and other prosecutors. The investigation could be counter to the 1977 amnesty that pardoned politically motivated crimes by Franco and his supporters. Since Franco fought Basque separatists and attempted to suppress their culture, including the Euskera language, many of the dead are thought to be of Basque origin. Whether the investigation will strengthen Basque separatists or be seen as a way of addressing Basque grievances remains to be seen.

[Christopher Estrada]

SPAIN: More Separatist Violence [31 March 2008]

Summary:  Since the Basque separatist group, ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) broke its truce with Spain, the government is bracing for more acts of violence while promising to eliminate the group as a threat to the territorial integrity of Spain. 

Development:  Recent incidents of violence suggest ETA has ended its 2006 truce with the Madrid government.  Early this month, ETA was blamed for a car bomb and the assassination of a politician.  These incidents have occurred after both France and Spain claimed in recent months to have broken up ETA cells.  For its part, ETA is blamed for more than 800 deaths in its violent 40-year campaign for an independent Basque country in northern Spain.

Analysis:  In his speech at the start of his second term, Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero said the struggle with the ETA continues to be one of his priorities.  Zapatero’s statements on the ETA, however, seem contradictory.  On the one hand, he wants to make another truce with the group and hopes they will stand by their word this time.  On the other, the Prime Minister promises to finish the group as a threat to Spain.  Whether he would do so through negotiations, perhaps leading to autonomy for the Basques, or suppression, is unclear.  One thing seems apparent, however, the Basque separatists are unlikely to be defeated by police methods and only time will tell if they will accept some form of radical autonomy—or vitual independence—under a thin covering of Spanish sovereignty.

[Nicole Tetreault]

SPAIN: Twenty Islamic Radicals Imprisoned [3 March 2008]

Summary:  Twenty terrorists were sent to prison for operating with Al Qaeda and planning to blow up government buildings in Spain.

Development:  On February 27^th, 2008 a Spanish court sentenced twenty Islamic radicals to prison terms between five and fourteen years for belonging to an Al Qaeda-inspired cell planning to attack major cities in Spain.  They were arrested in 2004 after a Madrid train bombing that killed 191 people.  The attack was claimed in the name of Al Qaeda. The men were convicted of setting up a terrorist network by recruiting Muslims in prison for the Jihad, or holy war.  

Analysis:  The decision of the Spanish court is a reminder that Spain is especially vulnerable to terrorist activity.  Some of this is directed at recruiting recent immigrants from North Africa for the jihad in places like Iraq.  Some is aimed at terrorist strikes inside the country.  The recent arrest of a group of Pakistani immigrants in Barcelona has opened a new front in Madrid’s efforts to stamp out indigenously-based terrorism.  Although the investigation of the ‘Barcelona cell’ is being criticized by leaders of the Pakistani immigrant community, at least one member of the cell had returned from training in Pakistan.  After the Madrid train bombing, the security authorities in Spain are taking no chances.

[Nicole Tetreault]

SPAIN: Parties Clash on Major Economic Issues [3 March 2008]

Summary:  Spanish parties held a heated debate to choose the better-suited candidate for Prime Minister of Spain.

Development:  On February 25^th, 2008 Spain’s Prime Minister Zapatero and the conservative opposition leader, Rajoy, battled to determine whose strategy was best for the slowing economy, terrorism, and immigration.  During the debate, no candidate appeared to score a knock-out punch against the other, however, opinion polls continued to show that voters favor Zapatero.  One of Rajoy’s arguments was Zapatero’s government failed to act when the price of milk and eggs increased faster then real wages and unemployment continued to rise.

Analysis:  Public reaction to the debate suggests that Rajoy has failed to make his case with the Spanish people.  Barring some unforeseen event, Zapatero is likely to win the election.  Given both the examples of how a terrorist attack came just before the last election, and the recent arrest of a purported terrorist cell in Barcelona, security forces will be extra vigilant.  [Nicole Tetreault]