Spain and its Basques
A ban on Batasuna will not be the end of the terror story
Aug 29th 2002 | Madrid | from the print edition
BANNING Batasuna, the political wing of the violent Basque separatist group ETA, is, according to Spain's prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, the only option left in his battle to stamp out terrorism. But the ban has stirred up a hornets' nest.
Batasuna has enjoyed all the benefits of democracy, including official funding received by Spain's political parties, while giving tacit support to ETA, which continues to kill and intimidate—836 people have died so far. According to police reports, links between the two are so strong that no real distinction can be drawn. After 25 years of a democratic system, including a strong dose of devolution for the Basque country, the government in Madrid thinks it is time to stop feeling guilty for Spain's past under Franco and to get tough on those who undermine freedom.
Mr Aznar has a parliamentary majority behind him for his assault on Batasuna, and most Spaniards back him. At a special session of parliament, recalled from recess on August 26th, members passed a motion asking the government to outlaw the party. The full process could take several months but Spain's campaigning magistrate, Baltasar Garzon, has already moved to suspend its activities. A separate bid to ban it by the attorney-general is also under way. Judge Garzon has frozen Batasuna's bank accounts and forbidden its leaders to organise demonstrations. On August 27th, the Basque regional police began to implement a legal order to shut down Batasuna offices throughout the Basque country. Electricity and water companies have been ordered to cut off supplies.
Just a few hours after the parliamentarians voted, ETA placed a bomb near the courts in the Basque town of Tolosa. Police carried out a controlled explosion. Batasuna's leader, Arnaldo Otegi, dragged out of party headquarters in Bilbao, described the ban as typical of the “repressive” Spanish state. But he saved his worst spleen for the mainstream Basque Nationalist Party, which controls the regional government and police, calling it a “traitor”. “If you want war; you'll get it. The armed struggle is the only way,” shouted Batasuna supporters gathered outside the building.
What now? Batasuna could contest the moves, even though that means recognising the Spanish courts. But initially its leaders have been keen to present themselves as victims of the Spanish state. Some party officials have announced they will move their headquarters to Bayonne in the French Basque country.
Relations between all of Spain's political parties have been strained. The Basque nationalists who voted against the ban have been accused of “cowardice” by members of Mr Aznar's People's Party . So, too, the Catalan Nationalists and United-Left coalition, who abstained. The opposition Socialists supported the move but writhe in discomfort at the aggressive tone of Mr Aznar's followers. Basques, meanwhile, fear that the run-up to municipal elections in May (where Batasuna has traditionally done best) will be bloody.
from the print edition | Europe