INTERVIEW with Iñaki de Juana, Basque political prisoner, in Algeciras Hospital.

"Every measure they have taken is against my will"

- "The medical vice-director of the prison told me he would not allow me to be on hunger strike for more than 50 days"

Iñaki de Juana was admitted to Algeciras hospital on Tuesday and he is being intravenously force-fed since Wednesday. GARA is publishing an exclusive interview, dated September 14 in Algeciras jail, when the Donostia-born prisoner had spent 38 days with no food. In the interview, De Juana states that all the measures the medical teams have taken towards him "and the measures yet to come" are against his will.

"I don't think they will take much longer". This was what Iñaki de Juana said last week about the possibility of being force-fed "against my will and by force". In this interview, the prisoner goes over his situation and the situation of the Basque Political Prisoners' Collective, highlighting the idea that there is a Spanish State political strategy being this situation.

- On August 7 you began an indefinite hunger strike. Which were the main reasons that led you to this?

There are four reasons: I am convinced that the jurisprudence created in my case will affect all political prisoners and freedom of speech too, not just me; I am sure that I am not harming anyone and that any positive consequences will be for everyone and negative consequences will only affect me; the need to sat "enough is enough" in the face of so many attacks; and the need to demand my release after having finished serving my sentence two years ago.

- Instead of choosing another form of struggle, you chose the toughest form of protest…

The forms of struggle available to a prisoner are very limited: lock-ups, refusal to do certain things, hunger strikes and some other purely symbolic things. Unfortunately, and despite the fact this is also subject to many limits, the only thing that can be taken seriously as a protest and may serve as a form of pressure is to place your life in the hands of the Administration. And this is also the form of struggle best understood outside, precisely because of its toughness.

- You have had no food for over a month, how has this time passed?

Very quickly, because of the tremendous motivation I have. I feel very strong and positive. Physically, I feel the normal wear, but psychologically I am even more determined than when I made the decision.

- The Audiencia Nacional ordered you to be taken to a hospital for various tests and they also ordered you to be force fed, even against your will. What is your opinion on this?

To date, September 14, they took me out to hospital on the first two weeks, to carry out electrocardiograms and various tests; I refuse to do this voluntarily so as not to cooperate with a medical team made up of the very same people who are prepared to act against my will and using force. After those two weeks, they are carrying out the tests inside the prison, always under the coverage of the Audiencia Nacional decision.

The AN has issued two decisions up to now: one from the Central Penitentiary Court and another one from the First Section of the Penal Court. Both say I can be taken to hospital whenever they want and they can do all kinds of tests.

They have not issued the order to force-feed me yet, but they have said they will and I don't think they will take much longer, because even the medical vice-director of the prison told me he would not allow me to be on hunger strike for more than 50 days without them force-feeding me.

Both the measures they have taken up to now and the ones still to come are unjustly violating my will, regardless of how much constitutional backing they have. It is not only psychological torture, in that it violates my will, but also physical, violating my body, because they do it through physical force. In addition, these measures lengthen your suffering, but they do not guarantee you will live, nor do they guarantee you will have a healthy life in decent conditions.

- One of the court decisions used your medical precedent of "kidney failure" as justification…

In the early 90s, in Salto del Negro jail, there were a number of very tough struggles. During 1992, I took part in three long hunger strikes. Other comrades, Esteban, Tapia, Garratz… did more than I, before and after I was there.

During the third and last hunger strike I took part in, after forty-something days I had a bad case of kidney failure. They forcefully intubated me and urgently got me out of the prison. I must have been in bad condition because there was a doctor with me all the way on the ship and then in the ambulance, all the way to the Málaga Prison Infirmary, where they held me for a month and a half until I recovered.

As you know, when the kidneys stop, the damage is definitive, but mine did not get that bad. The damage was reversible and I recovered completely. Fourteen years later, the Penitentiary Administration has shaken the dust off this old situation and included it in the medical history it has sent to the Audiencia Nacional to justify these hurried measures. That is why the court decision makes that reference.

However, I want to make it clear that at the time of beginning the hunger strike my health was perfect, I had no illnesses whatsoever.

- You have expressed total determination to carry on with the hunger strike, what makes your decision be so firm?

It is the only weapon I have. I do not know what will happen in this situation. It will depend on several factors. But I am certain that the alternative is life imprisonment and dying of old age in prison. I choose to fight, and we will see what happens. In any case, fighting in itself is winning. But I do not want my decision to be seen as a desperate measure; that it is not. It is a struggle.

- Since you began your protest many protests have taken place in the street. What is the value of these gestures of solidarity? Do you feel the warmth from the street?

Yes, it gets in here and I can feel it. These actions are extremely important for my morale and for the possible, though difficult, resolution of this situation. I am immensely grateful. But I am also conscious that only a small part of this is because of me, and so it should be. Solidarity is for all the political prisoners and for all those who suffer reprisals because of their political ideas. Of course, mine is one of the most striking situations, although all of them are a scandal. And at this point in time it seems this has been cathartic in the midst of the sickness about the lack of movement and all the attacks.

- Attacks against the Basque Political prisoners' Collective and their living conditions have come in quick succession; what is your reading of the situation and what is your assessment of the Collective as a whole?

I am not the person to ask about the Collective as a whole. The only ones who can and must answer that are the comrades officially appointed representatives of all the Basque political prisoners. Plus, honestly, it would be unfair for me to answer this because, strange as it may seem, I do not know. I mean that after the policy of dispersal began, I have almost always been held in isolation wings, with very few comrades, so I only know what a few of us think.

Personally, I think that for years, especially the last three years, the State has been filling the bag with hostages; in order to let them go later on, if needs be, little by little. And to draw out any possible resolution process over the years, keeping up the blackmail. To sell the dismantling of the previously taken increases in repression as if this was a gesture of generosity and after a number of years, to arrive at the same situation we were in fifteen years ago.

However, and I am not talking in anyone's name, what I do know, as any observer should, is that the Collective has resisted every kind of attack for almost thirty years, and we will continue to resist.

- In your case, they have used two opinion articles in order to request a new sentence of 96 years in jail…

But the first argument they used not to release me was because they voided definitive judicial decisions about my remission due to studies. When they could no longer use this because it was even causing contradictions among the judges and they still had not come up with the "Parot Doctrine", they came up with the thing about the articles. Anything goes to keep the hostage bag full. Don't let anyone out; or, at least, don't let anyone they don't want out.

- Lately, Basque political and institutional leaders have made statements asking for the prisoners to be repatriated, or, at least, for them to be moved closer to their homes. What is your assessment of these statements?

They are a firework display. Pure hypocrisy. Because these are nothing but statements, the deeds do not match the words. They implement no measures to give credibility to their words. Plus, you must not forget that all those leaders are collaborators in dispersal, the suffering, the deaths, inside prison and also relatives and friends, the road accidents, the economic burden…

The only ones who have always been on the side of the prisoners are the Basque independence movement, and we must not forget this or be distracted with talk and hot air. What is happening is that, with their attitude and lack of dignity, yet again, all those politicians are looking to make political profit from the possible future repatriation of the prisoners.

- Do you have any hope that popular pressure will achieve anything for the Collective?

Personally, I expect nothing but repression from the Spanish leaders. I expect nothing from Basque and false-Navarrese collaborationists. As always, the independence movement will have to face the problems and solve them on its own, with its own strength. As always, through struggle and sacrifice. Struggling and rebelling means not allowing ourselves to be assimilated. It means resistance. And, in the long run, it means victory.

SOLIDARITY WITH INAKI IN BELFAST AND CORK

45 people gathered at the European Commission Office in Belfast and 25 in Cork city to denounce the Spanish government's criminal policy towards Basque political prisoners and to show their solidarity with Inaki De Juana, political hostage, who has already been 50 days on hunger strike. Despite he was force fed and warned of the consequences of his decisions he is going ahead with the fast.

INAKI WAS FORCE FED LAST NIGHT

Inaki De Juana expressed his will to continue on hunger strike after he was force fed last night following orders coming from the Spanish Special Court. He was warned of the consequences by the doctors at the madrilian hospital Gregorio Maranon.

Askatasuna, organitation of solidarity with the Basque political prisoners, denounced the situation of Inaki saying that "it's of big hipocrisy for the Spanish state that they are feeding him because his life is on danger when they are trying to keep him in prison for life. We have to remenber that Inaki started the hunger strike as it was the last weapon he had to fight against the dirty tricks used by the Spanish authorities when despite he did his time to the full, 18 years, they made up new charges requesting for him 96 years for two articles he wrote in te newspaper Gara."

The Irish Basque Committees are organising protests in Cork and Belfast on Saturday and yesterday former 1981 hunger strikers Laurence McKeown and Jackie McMullan showed their support to Inaki De Juana and asked the Irish people to do the same. They are pictured on the right handside while David Kennedy from the Irish Basque Committees is on the left.

CALL FOR SOLIDARITY PROTEST WITH INAKI IN BELFAST .

Belfast lived a dramatic but finally victory year in 1981 when the ten brave republican hunger strikers gave their lives showing infinite dignity and love for their people. Thousands of Belfast people took the street to fight shoulder to shoulder with the POWs. Thousands were as well the Basques who, breaking all borders, felt the injustice in Ireland as theirs and protested in many cities.

Today the Belfast Basque Committee call everybody to come along on Saturday the 23rd at 12.30 at the European Commission Office, Windsor House and support Inaki De Juana's and the rest of Basque political prisoners fight for dignity while held as hostages in Spanish and French gaols.

BIG SUPPORT FOR INAKI AS HE ENTERS HIS 7TH WEEK ON HUNGER STRIKE.

BREAKING NEWS: Inaki De Juana was brought to the hospital yesterday for the third time since he started on hunger strike.

The Spanish Special Court says that Inaki De Juana will be force fed when his life will be at risk.

Today hundreds of people took part in a long day (10am-21pm)protest rally in Inaki's town, Donostia.

17/09/06

Five rallies under slogan "We need them alive and home" went by without
incidents in the five capitals. Attendants claimed amnesty and supported De
Juana Chaos.

Rallies to denounce penitentiary politics of Spanish and French Governments
and to claim respect to prisoners´ rights were hold today after
demonstrations were banned twice the last three days.

Thousands of people demonstrated Sunday morning in Bilbao, Donostia-San
Sebastian, Vitoria-Gazteiz, Pamplona/Iruña and Bayonne without incidents.

The five rallies passed by under slogan "We want them alive and home", and
escorted by Basque Autonomous Police and by National Police in the case of
Navarre.

EPPK demands not to "use" prisoners in the peace process

09/17/2006
"Basque conflict will not be solved neither through prison politics nor
through release from prison", the association asserts. [image: Gara] Gara

EPPK, Basque Political Prisoners Group, demands pressure increase against
penitentiary politics and its responsibles. It also claims bringing them to
prisons of the Basque Country, according to a press released published in
Gara today.

"Basque conflict will not be solved neither through prison politics nor
through release from prison", the association asserts.

EPPK calls Basque society in order to " strengthen pressure against
penitentiary politics and its responsibles," and to "be persistent to get
self-determination, territoriality and recognition of the Basque Country".

The press release, addressed to French and Spanish States, showed intention
"to take new and more efficient steps towards freedom."

EPPK claims it will reject "any political project that is based in the
denial of the Basque Country" and it criticises France and Spain because
"they once again make use of prisoners to condition the freedom". Sentences,
such as, "Prisoners in exchange for peace" or "Prisoners in return for
legalization", are just "the expression of political fraud".

The press release also condemns the attempt of trying to take advantage of
the situation of the prisoners and their relatives suffering. Iñaki De Juana
Chaos, in hunger strike since Aug. 7, is mentioned in the release.

New attacks in Barakaldo, Deusto, Vitoria-Gazteiz and Tafalla

09/17/2006
Last attack was registered Sunday afternoon in Barakaldo. Some people set
fire to a parked bus. Seven cars were damaged due to the flames.
Protesaters
attacked Barakaldo, Deusto (Bilbao), Vitoria-Gasteiz and Tafalla. The last
was registered in La Paz Street in Barakaldo, Bizkaia, at 6 p.m. Some hooded
people set fire to a bus.

The vehicle was parked and the driver - though no passenger - was in it.
Several people entered the bus and after obligating the woman to get it off,
they set fire on it with several molotov cocktails.

Although firemen arrived at the place on time, the flames damaged seven cars
were damaged.

*Deusto (Bilbao)*

Saturday at 11.10 p.m. protesters attacked with molotov cocktails a
euskotren train in Berrizbidea Street in Deusto. It had just stopped when
some strangers threw several molotov cocktails to one wagon.

The fire was quickly smothered by the engine driver with a fire
extinguisher.

*Vitoria-Gasteiz*

At around 11.20 p.m. on Saturday night an ATM was attacked with molotov
cocktails in Vitoria-Gasteiz, according to Basque Home Department. The ATM
is useless.

*Tafalla, Navarre*

Protesters threw several incendiary devices to the Court of Tafalla
triggering little damage. It happened at around 2.30 a.m. Sunday and the
artefacts only blackened the building.

INAKI DE JUANA ON HIS 38TH DAY ON HUNGER STRIKE

On August 7, Basque political prisoner Iñaki de Juana Chaos began a hunger
strike to demand his right to be released. Iñaki de Juana should have been
released on October 25, 2004, after serving his sentence in full and having
spent 18 years in jail. However, the Magistrate at the First Penal Court of
the Spanish Audiencia Nacional, Gómez Bermúdez, issued a decision dated
October 22, attempting to contest the remission Iñaki was entitled to and to
prevent his release .

In view of the impossibility to maintain this line of argument, the judge
decreed his remand in custody for an alleged crime of membership of an armed
group and terrorist threats.

The basis for the accusations were two opinion articles the prisoners sent
to the daily Gara . It is impossible to find any rational basis in the
articles to sustain such charges. Precisely, on June 14, 2006 the decision
whereby Audiencia Nacional judge Santiago Pedraz rejected the charges was
published. Judge Pedraz considered that, in the said articles, the prisoner
expressed his support for the Basque National Liberation Movement –BNLM-
which "is not comparable to ETA". He added that "this movement is not
defined as a terrorist organisation" and therefore the crime of issuing
terrorist threats was not proven.

At that point a media campaign was unleashed against the judge's decision.
The Minister for Justice stated "we shall build new charges so that they
are not released!" The State General Prosecutor, Cándido Conde Pumpido,
said "we shall continue to oppose his release insofar as it is legally
possible" and appealed Pedraz's decision.

This climate impelled the Third Section of the Audiencia Nacional Penal
Court to rectify judge Pedraz's decision, arguing that De Juana "boasted of
and extolled" his membership of ETA in the two articles, the content of
which, according to this decision" clearly displays a possible terrorist
threat". Therefore there was a new request for a 96 year prison sentence.

During recent times we have witnessed a brutal initiative supported by the
Spanish government and the special antiterrorist court, the Audiencia
Nacional, to prevent the release of prisoners who were entitled to immediate
release from prison, over and above all basic the principles of law. The
Spanish State, for reasons to do with a political revenge, considers that
Iñaki de Juana and other political prisoners in a similar situation have not
served enough time in jail. Therefore, the Zapatero administration is
attempting to instate this situation of de facto life imprisonment against
the Basque Political Prisoners' Collective, violating the universal right to
release of those who have served their sentences in full.

Furthermore, at this delicate political moment, when there is a possibility
to open up a resolution process for the conflict that has confronted the
Basque People and the Spanish state for years, the executive is using the
prisoners, making a democratic solution to the political conflict more
difficult.

In these circumstances, Iñaki believes he Has no other way forward but to go
on an open-ended hunger strike, even if he it takes him to his death.
Therefore, we are asking for active solidarity towards Iñaki and we are
issuing a call to international public opinion to denounce the lack of
consistency of the new charges against him and to demand his right to be
released.

This is a call to all groups and people in solidarity, to express their
protest to Spanish consulates and embassies and to send their messages to
the addresses of the following people, directly responsible for Iñaki de
Juana Chaos' situation.

Help save Iñaki's life!

(Spanish Embassador in Ireland)
D. José de Carvajal Salido
Spanish Embassy in Ireland
17A, Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge Dublin
Tel: 269 16 40
Fax: 269 18 54
Email: embespie@mail.mae.es.

(Spanish Prime Minister)
José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero
Presidente del Gobierno Español
Palacio de la Moncloa,
Avda. Puerta de Hierro, s/n.
28071 Madrid
España
jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es
Fax: 0034 913900217

(Spanish Special Court's President)
Carlos Divar Blanco
Presidente Audiencia Nacional
C/ García Gutiérrez, 1
28004 Madrid
España
Fax: 0034 913973381

(Spanish Prisons' Director)
Mercedes Gallizo Llamas
Directora General de Instituciones Penitenciarias
C/ Alcalá, 38-40
28014. Madrid
España
Fax: 91 335 40 52

1 Iñaki was tried on the basis of the 1973 Franco's Penal Code, whereby the
maximum time in prison is 30 years. Remission (i.e. time deducted from the
sentence for reasons such as good behaviour, attending workshops, studying…)
was calculated on that maximum serving time. The 1995 amendment of the Penal
Code eliminated remission and, later on, the limit to effective
sentence-serving time for prisoners convicted of "terrorism" was extended to
40 years.

TALK AND WORKSHOP ON THE BASQUE LANGUAGE IN BELFAST

Working together with the Belfast Basque Committee, An Chultúrlann presents a series of Basque events celebrating the diversity of the Basque language. We'll have with us as special guest and main speaker Paul Bilbao, the director of the Observatory of the Basque Language Rights. It'll be a unique occasion to know more about one of the most mysterious and oldest language in Europe.

On Thursday 7 September, there will be a public talk on the language and its history and on Saturday 9 September, there will be a day-long workshop which will include discussions on:

-Basque language's history and main characteristics

-Last 30 years (popular movement, organizations, laws, attacks, campaigns, media) and statistics-Teaching models, ways and organizations. Adult Teaching Organisation (AEK).

-The Basque Language Defence and support movement. Strategies and organizations.Although the workshop will be of particular interest to language activists, all are welcome to attend both events. Free admission.

Public Lecture: Déardaoin 7 Meán Fómhair / Thursday 7 September 7:30

Workshop: Satharn 9 Meán Fómhair / Saturday 9 September 10:30 – 3:00 le sos do lón / with a break for lunch.

Everybody is more than welcome.

ETA WARNS DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN CRISIS

The process in the Basque Country is "in a situation of evident crisis" due to "the mean attitude of the political parties," Basque armed organization ETA said in a statement published in the pro-independence daily Gara.

ETA accused the ruling Spanish Workers' Socialist Party (PSOE) and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV, in power in the so called Basque Autonomous Region), of "distorting and emptying the process of its contents."

The statement in Gara, normally used to publish claims by the armed Basque group, said that the two parties "are trying to build a process in line with their interests and their needs."

After having observed for nearly five months a permanent ceasefire that it decreed on March 22, the organization considers that the political parties "have not lived up to their responsibility."

"Instead of taking in-depth measures to feed this process and to build a democratic framework in the Basque country, they have acted blindly to wear down the positions of the Basque pro-independence left," ETA said.

A repressive attitude was "incompatible with the development of a negotiating process," it added, referring to the arrests of more than 50 people said to be close to or members of ETA since the cease fire was declared .

"If the attacks against Euskal Herria (the Basque Country) continue, ETA will reply," the group warned.

It claimed that "political, military and economic oppression" against the Basque Country was ongoing and that France and Spain "continue to use all their repressive machinery against the pillars that transform us into a nation."

ETA announced a "permanent ceasefire" in March and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero three months later said discussions would open soon with the separatist organization.

Well informed sources assured that negotiations between ETA and the Spanish goverment went ahead for 8 months until last February when an agreement was reached. ETA agreed to call a permanent ceasefire while the Spanish government agreed to make public their respect to the Basque citizens' decissions on their future. They also agreed to not to arrest any activist.

BASQUE POLITICAL PRISONER ON HIS 16TH DAY ON HUNGER STRIKE

The Basque political prisoner Iñaki de Juana Chaos, who was to be released
on the 9th of February because he finished his 18-year sentence, heard on the 10th of January that he would not be released.

De Juana wrote 2 opinion articles in the leftwing Basque newspaper GARA, for which he now is accused of being 'ETA-member' and 'making terrorist threats' being in jail for what he could get another sentence of 96 years.

De Juana was convicted for 'helping' in an attack in 1986 in Madrid were 12 members of the Guardia Civil were killed and because being member of the Madrid Comando
of ETA.

Now when he had to be released after finishing his sentence, Spanish government tries to avoid his release acussing him of being ETA menber and making threats from because he denounces his situation publicly.


In this situation DE JUANA CHAOS decided to start a HUNGER STRIKE 11 days
ago. A hunger strike he sais will be till the end.

He has already lost 10 kilos as his relatives saw in their last weekend visit. They have to travel every weekend for more than 2,500 kilometres to get a 40 minutes visit. Thousands of Basque Political Prisoners' relatives have to do long distances aswell every weekend. This dispersal policy designed by the PSOE Spanish government at the end of the 80's has killed already 16 relatives in the roads. 22 political prisoners have died in prison because of this criminal jail policy.

A similar case is that of the Basque political prisoner Edorta Sainz-
Lobato, who should have been released on 13 January after 17 years, but on
orders of judge Javier Gomez-Bermudez had to stay behind bars until the
'measures of shortening the sentence' are fully investigated.

It is no coincidence; the Spanish juridical system and the Spanish Minister
of Internal Affairs Jose Antonio Alonso look for measures to prevent Basque
political prisoners to be released after serving their sentence. The Spanish
Minister of Justice Juan Fernando Lopez-Aguilar said 'they are not to be
released before they shown remorse'. At this moment there are 100 Basque
political prisoners who can be released according to the Spanish law, after
serving ¾ of their sentence. Also the shortening measures won by working in
the prison or good behaviour work not for them. Another example is Filipe
Bidart, who was due for release in February 2003. At this moment there is a
campaign for his release, among other through the Basque website
www.filipeaska.com

As Etxerat, the Basque political prisoners' relatives organization, pointed yesterday the prisoners are political hostages in the hands of the Spanish and French states. Indeed, due to some legal reforms introduced six months ago prisoners who already did their time (18, 19 or even 20 years) have been kept in jail and got new dates of release wich go to 2017 or 2018.

Batasuna leader voices "worry" for socialists' "lack of maturity"

Likewise, outlawed Batasuna spokesman has regretted the attempts of the
Socialist Party to "distort" the contents of a future agreement for
political normalisation. [image: Arnaldo Otegi and Rufi Etxeberria] Arnaldo
Otegi and Rufi Etxeberria

Banned BATASUNA spokesman, Arnaldo Otegi, has voiced today his "worry" for
the development of the peace process due to the "lack of maturity and
responsibility of socialist leaders. In his opinion, they try to "distort"
the contents of a future agreement for political normalisation in the Basque
Country.

Otegi, who offered a press conference in Donostia-San Sebastián alongside
party member Rufi Etxeberria, has said nobody can believe that in the talks
with socialists preceding the cease-fire Navarre region was not taken as
part of the peace process, or that leftwing nationalism swore allegiance to
the Spanish Constitution, as some socialist leaders pretend to affirm.

Likewise, he has voiced his will to work for a compromise within the next
few weeks to start a multiparty dialogue that doesn't exclude territories
and respects the will of Basques.

BATASUNA SAYS THERE ARE ALL THE CONDITIONS NEEDED TO SET THE NEGOTIATION TABLE

At a press conference Otegi, Batasuna's spokeman, said that all conditions needed to set a parties' dialogue table on next autumn. He revealed that after having meetings during the last couple of weeks with all political parties (except the pro-Spanish and French right wing ones), trade unions and social organizations in the Basque Country all agree with this analysis.

He criticized PSOE for being the only one disagreeing and asking Batasuna to move and legalize. Batasuna says the main debate now is how to go ahead with the dialogue table and that it's not time to set conditions and obstacles in this way. We must remember that Batasuna is nowadays an illegal political party after PSOE and PP launched the so called Political Parties Law. That law was set to ban Batasuna. This is why, as many parties have claimed, is up to the Spanish government to sort this antidemocratic situation. Batasuna has denounced once and again the continues bids from PSOE to delay the process.

Otegi added that the pro-independence movement's goal in this political process is to achieve a situation where the Basque Country will be able to decide about her future in a free and peaceful way.

When he was asked about the PP's position attacking the process he said that they don't have the veto right and compared them to the unionists in Ireland.

A DEMOCRATIC TRIUMPH OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY

On June 29th President Zapatero made a statement in one of the lounges of the Spanish Parliament. It was spread at length.In this information we compile the different reactions to this statement and its different interpretations so that our readers can drawn their own conclusions.

Zapatero's statement in the Parliament lounge

It was a relevant eagerly waited and largely announced political act.On June 29 Zapatero announced in a Parliament lounge his readiness to dialogue with ETA.The message touched two important questions: on one hand, the government officially announced the beginning of the talks; on the other hand, he assured that "the government will respect the decisions taken by the Basque citizens ". The statement was bound to be said with the usual dressing: defence of the current political frame, the high degree of self-government that we Basque people enjoy, disqualification of the violent response, the Constitution as the limit to any change, there will not be any political price for peace. In order to reach what he called "great political agreement on coexistence"Zapatero fixed three criterion: maximum possible consensus , respect to the political plurality in Euskadi and equal opportunities". Then he detailed three rules: "democratic will, subject to legality and a wide political agreement which includes the pluralism of the Basque society ". He directly addressed to this society when he stress that "peace is our common task; peace will be strong if it has deep social roots; political, social and union agents must reach agreements to establish a coexistence frame based on dialogue".

Reactions to the statement Basque Autonomous Government.

It express its satisfaction at the Spanish president statement and on its opinion is to be regretted that the Spanish president was no as receptive as now when the Basque president present his conflict resolution plan, the Ibarretxe Plan, in this same Spanish parliament.The parties that take part in the tripartite Basque government positively received the statement, but with some nuances: "the terminology and the concepts are calculatedly ambiguous. At the end of this process the recognition of a new political subject -the Basque people- has to arise" (PNV). "It means implicitly recognizing the Basque citizens right to decide their future". (EA) "The wish to promote a political agreement is a big advance. There is no reason for not starting the parties table on next autumn" (Ezker Batua). The socialist family addressed to all the Basque parties: "It is time for responsibility. It is generating expectations. I hope the political parties rise to the occasion in order to look for a common factor " (Socialist Party of Euskadi). "If we do not try to find a solution now the society would never forgive us" (Socialist Party of Navarra). "France is also engaged because there are prisoners in France and because the issue affects French institutions" (French Socialist Party). The Basque trade unions: "It is a good new. The government must take steps in key of easing of tension so that the process gains credibility " (ELA). "We receive very well the start of dialogue with ETA because it is another sep towards the political normalization inEuskadi" (CCOO de Euskadi). "It is a very important sep. We are prepared and we engage to contribute to it " (UGT of Euskadi).The independentist trade union LAB assessment is that "Zapatero's statement is a very important qualitative sep forward; since the transition we have never listened this kind of words from a Spanish president. Nevertheless, it has to be very clear the any legality should be the containment wall of the Basque's will" The bellowing of the right wing who reacted at once: "ThePP can not give its support to the government so that it talks with ETA or withBatasuna. Talking with Batasuna means talking with ETA, and therefore the terrorists should have won" (PP). "The president of the government has gone today much more far than we expected, he has given his approval to the right of self -determination and to independence. In the History of the Basque country today starts a black moment. Future is not hopeful at all" (PP of the Basque Country). "This is a very sad and fateful day; we have witnessed today the capitulation of Spain. Terrorist have won because we the democrats have been defeated" (Unióndel Pueblo Navarro). "The terrorist today are having a wonderful day; 38 years of crimes, threatens and blackmail have given them the fruits they wanted" (Victims of Terrorism Association).

The international scene applauds the statement.

Many and varied voices gave their support to this step: "We express our hope that this dialogue leads to a definitive arrangement" (Jaques Chirac). "Only through dialogue and keeping the cease-fire it would be possible to find a lasting solution" (Tony Blair). "It is now essential that the Basque left has an electoral political tool to defend its position at the polls" (ERC)) Batasuna. On June 29 it made its first assessment: "this is a positive statement and has a big political importance. The Spanish president promised to respect the will of the Basque people. This is a basic concept for the ongoing political process".

On June 30 Batasuna makes its own solemn statement that in a wider and more precise way shows its position. Batasuna considers that "president Zapatero's statement is extremely important. His statement is a democratic triumph of the Basque Country and its citizenry as a whole. After long years of conflict, Madrid recognizes that negotiation is the tool to reach the solution and that solution has to be based on the world and the decision of the Basque people. The engagement, the generosity and the capacity for the fight had turned out to be basic. Batasuna thanks its militants for their steady answer to aggressions as well as for their defense of the Basque prisoners and against ilegalization. Towards the future, the key to reach the eagerly awaited solution lies in the work of the Basque agents, and this is the reason why Batasuna underlines that it is necessary that the citizenry gets involved".

Zapatero and ETA reached an agreement with commitments

07/10/2006

According to the Basque newspaper Gara, Zapatero's executive and the armed organisation reached an agreement with commitments. Conservative PP demanded"urgent" explanations from the Spanish prime minister.

Guarantees and commitments.

Gara reported quoting "sources who know about the process," that the Spanish government and ETA reached last February an agreement aiming at both sides'commitments and guarantees. Thus, the government would not carry out arrests and would respect decisions about their own future made by citizens from the four south Basque provinces under Spanish rule (the so called right to decide). On its part, ETA committed itself not to implementing acts of weapon supply once the permanent ceasefire was announced.

PP demands explanations.

On his part, the secretary-general of the conservative PP, Angel Acebes, demanded urgent explanations from Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on the "commitments and agreements" reached between the Spanish government and the armed organisation. In his opinion, these pieces of information prove the presence of a "trap process" and "negotiations with ETA outside the law." Justice Minister, Juan Fernando Lopez AguilarJusticeMinister, Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, assured today in the evening that the Spanish government"completely" denies information published in the Basque left wing nationalist newspaper Gara over an agreement between the central government and theBasque armed band ETA.

Dylan to sing for peace 10/07/2006 12:59 - (SA) San Sebastian, Basque Country. Bob Dylan, the 1960s peace movement icon, willheadline a free concert on Tuesday in the Basque cityof San Sebastian lending support to the peace processin the country. The concert at Zurriola Beach will be a "happening that will be remembered as a milestone in the path of peace", according to the event's organisers, who expect 50 000 people to attend. "We are living days of hope when at last peace is possible. The gathering of thousands of people united by the music and over political ideas of any kind looks like the best way to symbolise this moment," a statement said. US-born Dylan, 65, author of peace anthems such asBlowing in the Wind and Masters of War, will come onstage at around 19:00 GMT, after Mikel Laboa, a "living legend of Basque music", according to the organisers.

SPANISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES DIALOGUE WITH ETA AND RESPECT TO BASQUES DECISIONS

An unprecedented move was made by the Spanish government last Thursday as the Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero announced the start of official talks with ETA within the next weeks. It was an expected statement but still very important. What it wasn't so expected was the second part of the statement where he declared that the Spanish government will respect the freely taken decisions by the Basque citizens. He added that it's upon the Basque political parties, trade unions and social organizations to reach an agreement through dialogue without exclusion and equal opportunities for all the different political options.

Batasuna welcomed the announcement as very important and positive and claimed that it is the Basque Country's democratic victory after years of conflict that the Spanish government admits that the resolution will come through negotiation and acceptance of the Basque people's will. They celebrated as well the beginning of talks with ETA and highlighted that this way is the way suggested by Batasuna in November 2004 when was launched their peace proposal Orain Herria, Orain Bakea (Now the People, Now the Peace)where to different negotiation tables where proposed, one between ETA and the Spanish and French governments and the other one among all Basque political organizations.

Batasuna congratulated the pro-independence left wing movement's activists for the determination and courage showed specially during the last few years of illegalitation and brutal repression and their restless defense of the Basque Political Prisoners' rights.

Therefore Batasuna called all Basque political organizations to set as soon as possible a negotiations table and gave great importance to the fundamental role to be played by all Basque people as main protagonists of the process to achieve peace, freedom, democracy and justice.

Despite the important statement made by Zapatero Batasuna asked him to call off all the repression machinery and special laws like the so called Political Parties Law which banned Batasuna and undermined political and civil rights in the Basque Country.

Batasuna called the French government as well to play their own role in the conflict resolution as one of the parts involved and to stop all repression. The French government is actually acting as mere spectator as if it was a Spanish internal problem. Three of the seven Basque provinces are under French administration and their peaceful claims of own institutions, officialness of the Basque language and repatriation of the Basque Political Prisoners have got nothing but contempt.

DESPITE THE BORDER'S CLOSING THOUSANDS SUPPORTED PRISONERS' RIGHTS

More than 3,500 people claimed in the Baiona's streets for the Basque Political Prisoners's rights. One hundred different political, social and union organizations supported the march and well known faces were behind the banner where "Basque Prisoners with all their rights to the Basque Country" slogan could be read.

Previously the French police set heavy check points at the imposed border and closed it acting against the Schengen Agreement and attacking European citizens'rights to move freely within the EU borders.

Several hundreds of people were retained at the check points and as they couldn't transit even through their own country they decided to gather in the close town of Irun where another demonstration was held.

ETA SAYS REPRESSION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH PEACE PROCESS

ETA launched last week the second statement in the last few days. The first one was addressed to the French government and its citizens and the second one to the Spanish government and the Spanish people.

ETA pointed that the PSOE's Spanish government have a historical opportunity to resolve the conflict through dialogue and negotiation and to accept the Basque people's wills but in order to achieve this all the repression machinery and strategies must finish.

We have to remember that since the ceasefire declared by ETA three months ago there have been one person arrested every three days, one political event prohibited every five days, three police check points per day and one road accident caused by the dispersal policy of Basque Political Prisoners every nine days. Repression has clearly increased.

Last Friday thousands of people gathered in more than 60 towns and cities all around the Basque Country to protest against the last police razzia (pictured is the Irunea's one).

FRANCE AND SPAIN ATTACK AGAIN: 13 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN GIPUZKOA AND LAPURDI

13 people have been arrested in a Spanish and French police operation in the early hours of the morning today. The police accuse them of being part of the revolutionary tax net of ETA. The arrested are: Angel Iturbe Abasolo (53 years old), Julen Madariaga Agirre (73), José Antonio Cau Aldalur (62), Cristina Larrañaga Arando (51), Eloy Uriarte Díaz de Gereñu (64), Izaskun Gantxegi Arruti (61), José Ramón Badiola Zabaleta (48), Joseba Elosua Urbieta (71), José Carmelo Lukin Bergara (31), Ramon Sagarzazu Olazagirre (69), Jean Pierre Harocarene Kamio (42) and Iñaki Aristizabal Iriarte (59).

Batasuna denounced that this is a clear and direct attack against the process and the peace hope. Otegi in a press conference this morning said this operation is been politically motivated and asked the Spanish prime minister Zapatero how does this police operation help the process. Otegi added that the Spanish government has a problem not with the Left Abertzale but with a whole nation and these kind of political-police operations can't hide it.

ETA addresses the French government for negotiation

ETA launched a new statement showing their will of a democratic resolution to the political conflict with the French state. ETA denounces that the French state is being oppressing Basques specially since the 1789 Revolution and that still nowadays the Basque Country and the Basque language are not recognized by France. ETA points that the French state keeps the three Basque provinces of Lapurdi, Baxe Nafarroa and Zuberoa prisoners by force but states that thanks to the Basque people's struggle the will for freedom is still alive and getting stronger from year to year.

ETA says that it's time now to end with the traditional French contempt towards Basques and give the word and the decision about their future to Basque people.

The French snub was once again showed as they answered to ETA's statement through their Foreign Office as this was a foreign affair. The French state is killing the North of the Basque Country by turning it into a holidays resort for retired French rich people, denying and attacking the Basque language, forcing youth to emigrate to get a job or education, repressing peaceful protests and people created own institutions...

The French state is as involved in the political conflict as the Spanish state so both must be involved in the political resolution by giving the Basque people on its whole the right to decide their future.

LAST WEEK'S NEWS

-Last Tuesday Gerry Adams visited the Basque Country invited by Batasuna and expressed the total support of Sinn Fein to the Left Abertzale. He praised the commitment of Batasuna and ETA activists to achieve this historical momentum. He traveled to Madrid and Barcelona aswell to support and defend the Basque process. Martin McGuinness is expected to do the same this week.

-Rajoi, Spanish conservative PP's leader broke relations with Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero because of his aims to meet Batasuna.

-On Wednesday an incredible situation happened when the Spanish police stopped and banned a Batasuna's press conference in Irunea (Pamplona) where they were launching a campaign to boost the process in Nafarroa (Navarre). Barrena, Batasuna's spokeman said that it is difficult to understand such situations. Previously 300 Left Abertzale Navarrese councilors gathered to state their position on Nafarroa's importance in the democratic process and showed the commitment to accept whatever the people in Nafarroa will decide about their future and asked the unionist parties to do the same.

-On Friday Batasuna made public that they already sent a calendar and scheme to achieve a pre-agreement to set the parties' table of negotiations.

-Thousands of people gathered in Donostia, Irunea, Gasteiz and Bilbo to demand the the resolution table's setting.

-The 60 political, social and union activists being judged in the 18/98 show trial in Madrid denounced that after seven months the consequences are terrible and demanded once again the end of this process. During these sevem months they had to travel to Madrid 23 times, did 23.000 kilometers and had three road accidents. One of them died during the trial of heart attack and three fell very ill.They have already done 30 years in prison among all of them and everyone has to confront every month expenses of 3,000 euro plus th 4,393,000 euro they paid on bails. They thanked the Basque people who through different fundraising events collected 210,000 euro to support them.

-On Saturday hundreds of people protested in Gasteiz against the 18/98 show trial.

-Thousands of people signed a petition to demand a referendum on a Basque Institution in the North. This demand is been rejected by French governments once and again despite the majority position of northern Basques to have their own province and recognition of the existence of the Basque Country. This new campaign aims to collect 46,000 signatures and call the referendum. This would be a first step for re-unification of the Basque Country.

-Hundreds of councilors gathered in Lizarra despite the check points set by more than 100 of the Spanish Guardia Civil (military police body)commemorateate the 75th anniversary of the historic 1931's Basque Councils Assembly that demanded an autonomy statute for the four provinces in the south. This event was called by Udalbiltza (the only national Basque Institution)as part of the campaign to relaunch it.

SUCCESSFUL TOUR FOR BERRI TXARRAK AND THE IRISH BASQUE COMMITTEES

The Irish Basque Committees organized during the last week Berri Txarrak's first Irish Tour. The Basque band, awarded as the Best live, best album and best group 2005, were delighted with the warm welcome given by the Irish public. More than 500 people gathered in the Dublin, Derry, Belfast, Galway and Cork gigs. This is just a first step for Basque rock bands in Ireland as themselves and the Committees pointed out.

This is just another campaign lunched by the Irish Basque Committees in a bid to highlight the struggle for freedom in the Basque Country and the great answer and acceptance received seems to be a huge boost for another tour in coming years.

Thank you very much to everybody involved in this Tour and specially go raibh mile maith agaibh go Berri Txarrak (see them "striking" in Cork at the picture).

You can have more information on Berri Txarrak at www.berritxarrak.net. They'll be touring Europe in August and September with famous hardcore Chicago rockers Rise Against. Unfortunately they won't be in Ireland. We are looking to seeing them next year.

BEST BASQUE BAND TOURING IRELAND

The Irish Basque Committees present Berri Txarrak Irish Tour’06.


Considered by music press as one of the best alternative rock bands, with amazing vocal melodies next to emo, metal strokes and hardcore attitude, Berri Txarrak (www.berritxarrak.net) is a band going through a non-stop evolution. Their lyrics show their political commitment on the Basque struggle and social issues not just in the Basque Country but as well around the world. All of it with a poetic unique style. It’s not a coincidence that the singer won recently the most important Poetry Award in Basque language in his province.

” The music is a mixture of alternative rock, punk, hardcore, metal and some amazing melodies. Band-wise, I think a mixture of Burning Heads and Helmet would be a good description. It has easier melodic parts mixed with full-throttle metal guitars, and very fast drumming and a distinctive European-only edge.” www.Punknews.org

Berri Txarrak won three “Gazte sariak” 2006 awards when the most important Basque radio station Euskadi Gaztea made a review of the best Basque music bands of the year.

Berri Txarrak was nominated in three categories and they won all of them;

“Best band of the year”, “Best album of the year” for “Musika. Jaio.Hil” and “Best live show of the year”.

They won the same three categories in the Spanish magazine Rockzone (www.zona-zero.net) 2005 awards and in Rock Estatal’s 2005’s review the Spanish rock specialized press….. (http://www.rockestatal.com/reportajes/premios_rock_estatal_2005_premios_de_la_critica.htm) …..awarded them as the best rock album but in these two cases now as the best rock band in the whole Spanish State.

Their fifth and last album at the moment, “Musika.Jaio.Hil”,was recorded last August and was produced by famous Ed Rose producer as well of Kurt Cobain, The Get Up Kids or Motion City Soundtrack in the USA.

You can listen to some of the last album’s tracks at: http://www.myspace.com/berritxarrak

Berri Txarrak have been playing in different countries around the world such as USA, Mexico, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Spain supporting bands like Deftones with great succes.

This summer they’re being touted to tour Europe as support band for the Chicago based hardcore rockers Rise Against.

Before this we are delighted to have Berri Txarrak playing in Ireland for the first time ever!


Wednesday 7th of June: Dublin
(Voodoo Lounge)

Thursday 8th of June: Derry
(Sandino’s Bar)

Friday 9th of June: Belfast
(Black Box) Support bands:
Decoy 47 / RSI / The Hypocrates

Saturday 10th of June: Galway
(Richardson’s)

Sunday 11th of June: Cork
(Fred Zeppelin)

All gigs supported by local bands. Doors open @8.30pm. Fee: 6€ / £5.

SPANISH AND FRENCH ATTACKS PUT THE PROCESS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION

The political situation in the Basque Country at the moment is really difficult as the Spanish and French states continue their attacks against the Left Abertzale (pro-independence movement) and the democratic process.

Last week, as a bid to push the process forward, Batasuna presented publicly their negotiations team (see in the picture above). Almost at the same time the Spanish Special Court charged eight members of Batasuna's leadership with terrorism because of a press conference held to analyze the new political situation after ETA's ceasefire.

The previous week Batasuna was already warning of the dangers surrounding the democratic process: lack of interest of the main parties to set a negotiations table, Spanish government's bid to present the process as a technical process between themselves and ETA and the continuous attacks against the Left Abertzale.

Batasuna made clear that is urgent to set the negotiations table among all Basque political parties where a transition to a democratic situation (acceptance of the Basque Country as a seven provinces nation and self-determination right) will be agreed. Batasuna see as a big contradiction keeping them as an illegal party in this historical opportunity for peace.

Just last week Segi, the pro-independence and revolutionary youth organization, called protests all around the country bringing thousands of young people to the streets for independence. Those protests met big repression which caused wounded and arrested people.

Yesterday the French police arrested three young people in the province of Lapurdi and it's been seen as a provocation and deliberated attack against the process.

As we were saying before today and tomorrow eight members of Batasuna's leadership will have to appear in the Spanish Special Court and could be sent to prison.

Askatasuna, the anti-repression movement has called protests against all the attacks for this Friday with the slogan: "No to the political repression. Democratic minimums now!"

BASQUE WEEK IN GALWAY

The Galway Basque committee is organising a Basque week and on saturday the 27th it'll take place the II.Basque Day which was a huge success last year. Everybody is more than wellcome. Ádh mór.
Seachtain na mBascach, Gaillimh 2006

Basque Week, Galway

22 – 27 Bealtaine / May


Day / Time Events Venue
Monday 7pm Video Presentation on Basque Culture and Politics Richardsons #1 Eyre Square
Tuesday 7pm Basque Language Lessons Richardsons #1 Eyre Square
Wednesday 7pm Talk by representative of the Basque left-nationalist movement about recent ETA peace initiative Richardsons #1 Eyre Square
Thursday 7pm Basque Traditional Dance Lessons Richardsons #1 Eyre Square
Friday 9pm Concert, featuring the legendary Basque singer,JONU

Saturday is the 2nd Annual Galway Basque Day

Events run throughout the day

· 12 noon: Traditional Basque Games, including a Basque v. Ireland tug-of war, will be on display in the newly refurbished Eyre Square, along with Basque music, food, drink, fun and competitions.

· 3pm: Pub crawl! All are welcome to join with Basque and Irish friends on a tour of Galway’s many many pubs. Drink and eat more Basque specialities with some of Euskal Herria’s finest musicians, and enjoy the fusion Irish and Euskerri music.

· 8pm: Club Áras na nGael, More food and drink, ceol agus craic, and prizes and fun to be had in one of the city’s most intimate locations.

ETA:"THE PROCESS' KEY IS THE DEMOCRATIC DEBATE IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY."

In an exclusive eight pages interview with GARA newspaper (www.gara.net) ETA says that the time to put in practice all the commitments in the democratic process is arrived.

They highlight the importance of this democratic process to solve the conflict and achieve a democratic frame for the Basque Country where all the different political projects could be implemented including the pro-independence one. They place as crucial the democratic debate within the Basque Country and among all political parties, trade unions and social organizations. It's upon the Basque citizens of all the seven provinces to discuss and agree how to make this transition period from imposition to democracy.

According to ETA the Spanish and French states would have to respect whatever decision the Basques took. ETA warn that if the attacks against the Basque Country continue it will be impossible to complete this process.

BIG SUCCESS IN LAST EVENTS

Last Good Friday the Belfast Basque Committee organized the III. Irish Basque Night with a huge success. 200 people packed the Conway Mill Hall creating a fantastic atmosphere. Everybody enjoyed with Caoimhin Breag's acoustic covers and DJ's Rasta Revolution and Caveman. It was really difficult for the organizers to manage the party as dozens of people wanted to get into the party and the doors had to be closed because no more room was available and as the party was so great nobody wanted to leave. Even the DJ's didn't want to leave the stage!!

The highest and most emotional moment in the night was when Karmen Irizar, former Basque Political Prisoner and released just a couple of weeks ago, came up to the stage where a member of the Belfast Basque Committee presented her the Easter Lily and everybody started cheering and applauding.

Congratulations to everybody.


The last week of April the Basque Folk band Korrontzi toured Ireland invited by the Irish Basque Committees. Although no many people gathered in Cork, Dublin and Belfast everybody was amazed by the quality of the band and there are plans to bring them back next year. In Armagh they played for 300 people in a Hunger Strikers conmemoration function.

From the 22nd of May to the 27th the Galway Basque Committee is organising the first Basque week with lots of diferent events like talks, DVD screenings, folk gigs, etc. Saturday will be the big day when they'll organize the II. Basque Day with activities all along the day. Nobody should miss this great week. Last year's Basque Day was a huge success. for more details contact: basquegalway@hotmail.com.

And the events to highlight the Basque struggle in Ireland don't finish yet. The Irish Basque Committees are bringing to Ireland the best Basque rock band of the moment, Berri Txarrak from the 7th to the 11th of June and they'll be playing in Dublin, Derry, Belfast, Galway and Cork in this order. More information in next days.

69 YEARS SINCE THE GERNIKA BOMBING. PICTURE OF AN UNSOLVED CONFLICT.

A day like today, 69 years ago the Spanish fascists with the Nazis help bombed Gernika, the Basque liberties symbol town. Hundreds were killed and thousands wounded as a consequence of the first massive air bomb attack against civilians in Human history.

69 years later and despite ETA's cease fire the conflict is still very alive. This is the last couple of days' picture:

Two well known young political activists have been arrested and badly tortured, demonstrations attacked by the police, Spanish Guardia Civil (mixture of army and police) armed members threatened and provoked the population in bars in Leitza, the 18/98 show trial against 60 political activists is in its sixth month while one of the activists dies from a heart attack shortly before his appearance in court, the Basque autonomous police threatened and pointed with guns to two Segi activists, the Spanish Congress rejected a motion against the incommunicado period and protected torture, the Basque autonomous parliament rejected a motion in favor of Political Status for the political prisoners, Batasuna denounces Zapatero's government for taking the wrong way to solve the conflict and add that there are not democratic conditions to start with a conflict resolution process...

LEFT ABERTZALE HISTORICAL ACTIVIST DIES

Jokin Gorostidi (Deba 1944) died yesterday after a heart attack. His life is been an example of compromise, dignity and struggle for the Basque Country's freedom. He became involved in workers struggles as a trade unionist and soon joined ETA.

He got two death penalties in 1970 during the famous Burgos Trial. He spent years in prison and after Franco died he was deported to Brussels. He came back and along with others funded Herri Batasuna. In 1980 he survived an attack from the French Police while he was meeting ETA leadership members in a bid to open negotiations with the Spanish state. He would be part of the interlocutor of the Left Abertzale for years. In the 90's he helped Basque political refugees and deportees in Africa and America and when he cae back from one of this trips he fell sick and was in coma for 55 days.

In 2000 he was arrested once again accused of being member of Xaki, the pro-independence movement's international department. He was released with a 30.000 € bail. Therefore he was being judged within the 18/98 show-trial in Madrid along with another 60 activists and had appear in court last Monday. The prosecutor asked 15 years for him. In 2003 was arrested and charged with helping ETA with the revolutionary tax and released with a 18.000 € bail.

He had a heart attack when going home after meeting his lawyer discuss about last Monday's appearance in court. He was in coma since then. Forty years of struggle which, as Batasuna's leadership highlighted yesterday, brought the Basque Country to the current political situation of real freedom's hope.

AUSTRALIAN TV EXPOSES SPANISH TORTURE ON BASQUES

Excellent video from Australia's SBS TV which discusses the serious problem of torture inflicted on the Basque people by the Spanish government.

http://www.berria.info/multimedia/multimedia.php

BASQUE FOLK BAND TOUR IN IRELAND

The Irish Basque Committees present Korrontzi Irish Tour'06:

Korrontzi pays hommage to the life an traditional folk tunes of the trikitilari (Basque diatonic accordion player)of Bizkaia province.

The gig will be prefaced with a fifteen minutes english subtitled short film on these old trikitilaris’ life.

Korrontzi was an old trikitilari’s nickname and this performance is based on him and lots others’ life-style. The aim is to show new generations their heritage and remind the elder people of the past.

Korrontzi’s musicians are wellknown in the Basque Country because of their past projects and involment in Basque culture and traditional music.

Although trikitixa (small Basque diatonic acordeon) is the base of the band there are also drums, guitars, mandolins, whistles and other traditional Basque instruments.

Korrontzi’s first album will be launched on march and it will be distributed in Europe, USA and Japan.


Korrontzi’s Irish Tour 2006

26th of April at An Cruiscin Lan, Cork
27th of April at Cobblestone, Dublin
28th of April at Cultúrlann, Belfast
29th of April at Silver Bridge social club (road from Newry to Crossmaglen) South Armagh

THE BASQUE YOUTH MOVEMENT'S STRENGTH IN ETXARRI

More than 20.000 pro-independence and revolutionary young people took part in Gazte Topagunea'06 (Youth Encounter'06)in Etxarri during four days in Easter. A huge success which shows once again the strength of the Basque revolutionary youth movement. Topagunea is a unique political reivindicative youth festival in Europe and is been organized every two years since 1996.

This year's slogan was "Tipi-tapa independentzian topa!" (Step by step meet in independence!) meaning the importance of building independence from today. During four days Etxarri was a free Basque youth Country. Basque youth organized, debating, living together, struggling, enjoying, learning, getting stronger, feeling independence...

Work shops, seminars, debates, popular schools, gigs, excursions, markets...it would be impossible to resume what Topagunea was for four days.

Now is time to put in practice all this strength and lessons in all the country.

Congratulations Basque revolutionary youth!

THE BASQUE COUNTRY AS A NATION, MORE THAN EVER IN THE ABERRI EGUNA

Hundreds of celebrations and political meetings happened during this year's Aberri Eguna-Homeland Day. This National Day is been celebrated since 1931 and was inspired on the Easter Rising of Easter Sunday 1916 in Éire.

Udalbiltza, the Basque national institution, called the Basque people to gather at City and Town Halls to reivindicate the Basque national rights and meetings took place in more than one hundred towns in the seven provinces.

In Irunea, the historical Basque capital, this act was banned by the Spanish governor.

Celebrations were held in far places like Australia, Argentina or China for example by the Basque Diaspora.

THIRD IRISH BASQUE NIGHT IN BELFAST ON GOOD FRIDAY

After last year's big success the Belfast Basque Committee is organizing the third Irish Basque Night on Good Friday, 14th of April in Conway Mill, Falls Road.

There will be music, projections, T-shirts, raffles, food and patxaran and obviously a great craic.

Caoimhín Mac Giolla Catháin, famous Bréag Irish Reggae band leader and good friend of Basques will be playing acoustic covers.

DJ Caveman or Bigger Boss, well known in Belfast as Runnin Riotsdrummerr and DJ, will be playing the best of ska and reggae.

DJ One Shot,comingg from Derry, will be playing dub, drum and bass and chill out with his unique style and fun.

Everybody is more thanwelcomee to this solidarity event with the Basque Country. Now, more than ever economic solidarity is really needed as a good way to support the democratic process.

AHOTSAK, NEW WOMEN PLATFORM TO BOOST THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Ahotsak ("Voices")will boost women's presence in the conflict resolution process. 200 women, activists of all political parties and trade unions in the Basque Country (except the right wing pro-spanish and pro-french parties)gathered in Donostia last Saturday to launch this new platform and their fundation petition where they defend a democratic resolution, they claim the women's role as active agents for peace and they intend to make sure the process will go ahead to the end.

They follow other conflicts' women's example like South Africa, Palestine or Ireland.

OTEGI, PETRIKORENA AND OLANO RELEASED

After one week in prison Otegi (Batasuna's spokeman) was released last Friday. Along with him were realest Petrikorena (Batasuna's press officer)and Olano (Askatasuna's spokeman)who spent three weeks behind bars. All together they had to pay a 650.000 euro bail which is been said to be a "counter-revolutionary tax" against the pro-independence movement.

Most of the Basque political parties and trade unions expressed their concerns around this incarceration of members of the Left-wing Abertzale as become an obstacle in the new political situation in the Basque Country.

Yesterday more than 5.000 people gathered in Donostia to denounce these attacks and the banning of a Batasuna's public political meeting to be hold in this city in this very same day. Batasuna was to launch their alternative for radical change in the Basque Country after the party's debate.

HISTORIC DEMONSTRATION IN FAVOUR OF A DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION

Last Saturday's was the biggest demonstration of the last decade in the Basque Country. More than 80.000 people gathered in Bilbo behind the "It's resolution time. Basque Country. Decision. Agreement." banner.

As Batasuna stated today now there are conditions to open a process and set a negotiation table with the Basque political parties.

Batasuna's national executive's statement on Arnaldo Otegi's imprisonment (menber of the leadership)

BATASUNA: "The compromise of all the political parties, and not only Batasuna, is needed for the democratic development of a political process in Euskal Herria".


The decition to imprison Arnaldo, the millionary bails as well as the arrests carried out by the Ertzantza during last days (Basque autonomous police) are very worrying events that do not help creating the necessary democratic conditions to start a democratic process.


Last week, BATASUNA's national executive gathered in order to announce the positivity of ETA's permanent cease-fire and summoned all the political and social agents to begin a democratic process based on respecting the civil and political rights of all the Basue citizens.


Never the less, and within a week, the national executive of BATASUNA states that the Basque pro-independence left is the only political agent who has strongly compromised in its favour and that the only "verifications" are the police and juditial raids against the Basaue citizens are still a daily issue.


In the Basque Country the democratic conditions do not exist. The civil and political rights of thousands of people are still not taken into account. In the last seven days, Juan Mary Olano, Juan Jose Petrikorena, Koldo Danborenea and Arnaldo Otegi have been imprisoned, Rafa Diez and Pernando Barrena, have had to pay millionar bails to be freed.




Therefore Batasuna declares,


A democratic process can not be carried out if the conditions are not democratic themselves.

This is not an attack against the Basque left pro-independence movement but against all the Basque citizens and the resolution process.

The PSOE with PNV's help is stopping the development of the process maintaining the represive policies.

The represive and juditial methods against the Basque population are a huge obstacle to the development of the democratic process.

A compromise between all the political forces is necessary for the real development of this process.


BATASUNA calls the Basque population to attend the National march

in favour of a democratic process this 1st of April in Bilbao.


Batasuna also calls the international community to support a democratic framework that will help the development of a democratic resolution process for the Basque Country.

National Executive of Batasuna

30th April 2006

BREAKING NEWS: OTEGI IMPRISONED

Just after 11pm Otegi was incarcerated in Spanish jail of Soto del Real. He will be there until his 250.000 € bail is paid.

Barrena, Batasuna's spokeman, was attacked along with other abertzales by right wing ultras in a coffee shop beside the Spanish Special Court while waiting for the judge'sdecisionn.

Before all of this happened he said that Batasuna is not going to fail the Basque people now that there are more opportunities than ever to open a democratic process to resolve the political conflict between the Basque Country and both the Spanish and French states.

He also pointed at the Spanish government'sresponsibilityy on what could happen to Otegi and added that this will show what are their real interest towards solutions and peace.

OTEGI TO JUDGE: "WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS."

Arnaldo Otegi, Batasuna's spokeman, left his home in Elgoibar around noon to head along his solicitor towards the Spanish Special Court in Madrid where he was called to appear because of taking part in the general strike against the two Basque political prisoners' killings a few weeks ago. Outside his house supporters cheered him and stood by a banner where could be read: "Repression is not the way. Peace in the Basque Country. Arnaldo, the people is with you."

When he arrived to Madrid a gang of pro-Franco ultras tried to attack him at the entrance of the Special Court.

Once he was before the judge he refused to answer to any question and just explained him that now there is a chance to sort the problem and that this should be done through democratic means, with justice, freedom and peace.

The General Prosecutor asked prison for him to be avoided with a 100.000 € bail.

BATASUNA WELLCOME ETA'S VALIANT DECISION

By Jarlath Kearney 23/03/2006 DAILY IRELAND

The decision by ETA to call a permanent ceasefire reflects confidence in the Basque people’s ability to achieve self-determination, a leading member of the party Batasuna told Daily Ireland last night.

Urko Aiartza, of Batasuna’s international department, said the Spanish and French governments had “lost the battle” against growing support for self-determination among Basques. Mr Aiartza was speaking in Belfast just hours after the historic ceasefire was announced in the Basque Country. “Batasuna welcomes this decision taken by ETA and considers that it is a very important, valiant and courageous decision,” Mr Aiartza said. “It was clear from the statement that ETA will do whatever it can to promote the opening of a peace process in the Basque Country.

“However, the key point of the peace process must be the recognition of the right of the Basque people to decide their future,” he said. “It is clear that the new position of ETA is going to help to create the opening of a new scenario where there is no more excuse to avoid dialogue in the Basque Country, and that is very important. “The process for the resolution of the conflict in the Basque Country has been opened mainly by Batasuna during the last year and a half. “Batasuna has been working consistently to create the conditions to start a peace process, a negotiation process, where at least a new democratic scenario can be achieved in the Basque Country.”

Mr Aiartza said there was a growing, broad-based consensus that the status quo had failed in the Basque Country. He called on the Spanish and French governments to respond positively to the ETA announcement. “It is clear to the main forces in the Basque Country that the current model doesn’t work, that the autonomous community model doesn’t work for the resolution of the conflict. The key point is the right of the Basque people to decide their future. “Despite being banned and being persecuted, Batasuna has been able to promote a process to establish round-table dialogue with some Basque political parties and establish agreements with some labour, trade union and social organisations about a basic democratic argument.”

Mr Aiartza said this growing consensus explained why the Spanish and French governments had increased repression against the Basque left in recent years. Among those now held on political charges are activists in Batasuna and campaigners for political prisoners. Two Basque prisoners have died in Spanish prisons in recent weeks, prompting major demonstrations. “It is clear that the Spanish government is afraid of Batasuna and the Basque left entering a new political scenario in a strong position,” Mr Aiartza said. “That is why they are now trying to weaken the position of Batasuna with the arrest of some of the leaders. “We are now encouraging the Spanish and French governments to formally recognise whatever decision is taken by the Basque people and political parties themselves. In the current context, it is time to stop this kind of harassment.”

Mr Aiartza repeatedly stated his party’s belief that a cross-party consensus supporting self-determination in the Basque Country was becoming unstoppable. “ETA’s statement comes as a reflection of the reality of Basque society, that there is now enough force at this time in the Basque Country to promote a democratic process where Basques will decide their own future. “The Spanish and French governments are trying to stop and postpone the inevitable — the right of the Basque people to exercise self-determination,” he said. Mr Aiartza said that, while Basque political leaders would welcome dialogue with the Spanish and French governments, such a development was secondary to the achievement of Basque self-determination. “For us, dialogue involving the French and Spanish governments is not the most important issue at the moment,” he said. “For us, the most important issue is the recognition by the Spanish and French governments of whatever decision is going to be taken by the majority of the Basque society and Basque political forces. “It is in the hands of the Spanish and French governments to respect that decision [on self-determination] and, of course, to negotiate the implementation of that decision but never the contents of that decision. That is a very important and key point. “We recognise that, after all of the Basque forces and society agree a proposal, then the representatives of the Basque Country will have to discuss with the Spanish and French governments how to implement that decision but never the contents democratically agreed by Basque society.”

Mr Aiartza welcomed the international solidarity that Basque independence campaigners had received. He pointed to Ireland and South Africa as examples of places where political prisoners had been released as part of conflict resolution.

He highlighted other consequences of the Basque conflict that would have to be addressed — such as victims, demilitarisation and political exiles. “You can’t believe in resolving a conflict without resolving the issues of political prisoners that are the result of the political conflict,” he said. “So it is clear for us that any resolution of the conflict requires the release of political prisoners and the coming back of all the political exiles. That’s a key point for the resolution of the conflict. “It is not possible to have a real peace and democratic process in the Basque Country without the release of the political prisoners. “But the most important thing is that, if you don’t resolve the key points of the political conflict, you are not going to resolve the consequences of that conflict.

“We are very confident of the feeling of the majority of the Basque society that really the solution of the conflict must now pass through that point. “There is enough force and strength in Basque society. ETA’s statement is clearly a call to Basque society to participate in that process, and it is call to the Spanish government and the French government to respect that process. “ETA clearly believes there are now conditions to promote a democratic process in the Basque Country. We shall see if the Spanish and French states are going to recognise that democratic process,” Mr Aiartza said.

ETA'S FULL STATEMENT

“ETA –Euskadi Ta Askatasuna– the Basque, Socialist, Revolutionary Organisation for
National Liberation, hereby wishes to inform Basque citizens about its decision.
ETA has decided to implement a permanent cessation of its armed activities as from
00.00 hours on March 24, 2006.

ETA’s Reflection

ETA’s decision is aimed at boosting the democratic process that needs to take place in the Basque Country, so that the political change needed by our people can be brought about through dialogue, negotiation and agreement.
A democratic framework needs to be built for the Basque Country by going beyond the
current framework of imposition, division and denial, so that our rights as a people can be recognised and all political options can be made possible in the future.
Within this democratic process it will have to be left up to Basque citizens to have the final say and to decide about their own future, so that the conflict can be resolved democratically.

In ETA’s view, it is up to all the Basque players to further the process and to reach
agreement on the Basque Country’s future, taking the whole of the Basque Country and
its diversity into consideration.

It is up to the Spanish and French States to respect the results of the democratic debate on the Basque Country without any interference or limitations, and to accept what Basque citizens decide about their future.

ETA’s Appeal

We issue an appeal to all players to act in a way that is both responsible and
commensurate with the steps taken by ETA.
The time has come for all of us to express our wishes. All of us players have to make a firm, responsible commitment aimed at building the democratic solution the Basque Country needs. This is the moment to take bold steps and far-reaching decisions, to move from words to deeds.
We call on the Spanish and French authorities to respond in a positive way to this new situation and to remove the obstacles or limitations in the way of the democratic
process, by ceasing their repression and attitude of denial, and by displaying a
willingness to resolve the conflict through negotiation.

We call on the wider Basque public, and on the members of the Basque nationalist left
in particular, to become fully involved in the process and to fight for our rights as a people.

ETA’s Commitment

ETA’s wish is that the process begun should be concluded satisfactorily and that a
genuine democratic situation should be achieved in the Basque Country by overcoming
the conflict that has been going on for many years, and by building peace based on
justice. From now onwards we confirm our commitment towards taking further steps in
line with this wish and towards continuing the struggle until the Basque Country’s
rights have been achieved.

The conflict can be resolved here and now. That is ETA’s wish.

Long Live a Free Basque Country!
Long Live a Socialist Basque Country!
For independence and socialism!

Issued in the Basque Country in March 2006.”

"IT'S RESOLUTION TIME" NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION CALLED

Begoña Errazti (EA), Pernando Barrena (Batasuna), Jose Elorrieta (ELA), Rafa Diez (LAB), Ainhoa Beola (Aralar), Mertxe Colina (AB), Anjel Abalde (ESK), Unzalu Salterain (EHNE), Panpi Sainte-Marie (ELB), Belen Arrondo (EILAS), Modesto Garcia (Hiru), Kepa Bereziartua (ANV) and Joxe Iriarte «Bikila» (Zutik)held a press conference to call a national demonstration on the 1st of April in Bilbao with the slogan "It's resolution time. Basque Country. Decision. Agreement."

They highlighted the importance of the popular support for a conflict resolution process in the Basque Country. In their opinion the Basque people must lead such a process. It's not a coincidence the amount of mobilisations in all around the Basque Country in the last weeks.

Through this demonstration and others they want to give a firm answer to the last couple of weeks' attacks like the two political prisoners killings, police repression in the streets and incarceration of Batasuna leaders.

NEW SPANISH ATTACK

Petrikorena (Batasuna) and Olano (Askatasuna) were put in prison, Barrena (Batasuna's spokeman) and Diez (LAB union's general secretary) were released on 200.000 € and 100.000 € bail last week and Otegi (Batasuna's spokeman) and Alvarez (Batasuna's International Department Officer) will have to appear in court next week after the Spanish Special Court's decision.

This attacks have been largely denounced as a provocation and an obstacle to a conflict resolution conflict in the Basque Country by numerous Basque political parties and unions. In Ireland Gerry Adams (Sinn Féin) opposed measures and supported the Left Abertzale's efforts.

THOUSANDS PROTESTED AGAINST DISPERSAL POLICY

Thousands took the streets of Portugalete and Santurtzi last Saturday to protest against the criminal dispersal policy which keeps 700 Basque political prisoners spread all around Spain and France and kills prisoners and relatives.

Under heavy rain people marched to show their anger at last events and to make clear their determination to put forward a conflict resolution process despite all provocations from the Spanish and French states.

Igor Angulo's girlfriend, Idoia Muruaga, in a very strong and emotional speech at the end of the demonstration said: "Igor and Roberto's families suffered a lot during the last two weeks, as the Basque Country did. In these hard moments we have showed that they won't get what they want (speaking about Spanish and French governments)because what move us are dignity, love and happiness."

PROTEST IN BELFAST

Around forty people gathered last Saturday afternoon to show solidarity with the Basque political prisoners outside Cultúrlann in the Falls Road of Belfast.

The Belfast Basque Committee called the picket line after the last dramatic events in the Basque Country. Two political prisoners were found dead, their funerals and protests were savagely attacked by the police and leaders of the left-wing pro-independence movement face prison this week.

Different political parties and socialorganizationss launched today a petition denouncing this attack against the Left Abertzale defining it as a bid to undermine theopportunitiess to open a conflict resolution process.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has voiced his concern at reports from the Basque Country that the courts are about to arrest key members of the Batasuna leadership. He called for the threats to be lifted and for the Spanish government to work with others to build a genuine peace process.

Mr. Adams said:

"The continuation of the ban on Basque political party Batasuna and jailing of its leadership will only serve to undermine efforts to establish a peace process.

"The Spanish government needs to end its policy of criminalization. Threats to arrest key members of the Batasuna leadership should be lifted immediately and the harassment of political prisoners should end.

"It is Sinn Féin's view that a real opportunity exists to make progress. I would call on the Spanish government to stop creating obstacles to progress and to work with others to create the conditions for inclusive dialogue."

THOUSANDS OF BASQUES TOOK PART IN THE ACTION AND STRIKE DAY

Thousands of people took part in hundreds of protests all along the Basque Country yesterday. The Left Abertzale called an action and strike day in protest for the two Basque Political Prisoners killed last week in Spanish gaols. Political status, repatriation and democratic resolution to the conflic were the main reasons which brought these people to the streets. Lots of the protesters were attacked by the police.

The Spanish Special Court Prosecutor called Batasuna, Askatasuna and LAB spokemen to appear in court next week and is asking for their incarceration as organisers of yesterday's action day.

Four bombs were set by ETA in four different places along the border between the Basque Country and Spain.

FEBRUARY'S ISLADA BULLETIN LAUNCHED

Islada is Behatokia's monthly bulletin. Behatokia is the Basque Observatory of Human Rights and was created four years ago with the support of different Basque human rights organizations such as Askatasuna, Gurasoak, Etxerat and TAT. You can subscribe to it or just check it straight away in:

http://www.behatokia.info/boletin.php

BELFAST BASQUE COMMITTEE CALL PROTEST

REPATRIATION AND POLITICAL STATUS FOR BASQUE POLITICAL PRISONERS AND SELF-DETERMINATION RIGHT FOR THE BASQUE COUNTRY!!

Last week two Basque Political Prisoners were killed by Spanish criminal prison policy and they are already four in the last 20 months.

Igor Angulo (Bilbao, 1973) was found dead in his cell in the Spanish prison of Cuenca (400 miles away from the Basque Country) where he was the only Basque Political Prisoner in the early hours of Sunday the 28th of February. Although the official version said he was hanging from his cell window and that he committed suicide neither his family nor the Basque people believe it. The forensic said he was laying on the bed (first contadiction) and his hands were tied by leather shoe laces (forbidden by the prison authorities). His girlfriend was speaking with him through the phone just few hours before his death and they were making plans for the future. He had no reason to committ suicide. The post mortem doesn’t provide any proof of suicide.

Roberto Sainz (Bilbao, 1965) felt bad during the morning of Friday the 3rd of March while holding a protest for Political Status in the Spanish prison of Aranjuez (300 miles from the Basque Country). Later on his comrades were told he died from a heart attack at the prison hospital. His lawyers and family denounced medical mistreatment as he didn’t get apropiate help.

Their funerals and popular protests were brutally attacked by the police.

More than 700 Basque Political Prisoners are hostages in more than 80 Spanish and French gaols hundreds of miles away from home. 12 prisoners were killed in the last 20 years and more than 20 relatives were killed in their way to visit them.

Despite the fact that ETA have not killed anybody as a result of their campaign in the last three years, 12 Basque political activists have lost their lives at the hands of the states.

All of this along with the political trial against 60 cultural, political, social and union pro-independence activists going on in the Special Spanish Court, torture, arrests, extraditions, new life sentences for political prisoners, banning of political and popular organizations, denying of civil and political rights render the situation in the Basque Country a powder keg and don't help at all the efforts that are being done by the left wing pro-independence movement and other nationalist and progressive forces to develop a process of democratic resolution of the conflict.

The Basque people need more than ever our support in this historical moment. Therefore the Belfast Basque Committee is calling a protest on SATURDAY 11TH 1PM CULTÚRLANN, FALLS ROAD, BELFAST.

Join the protests!! Support Basque Political Prisoners!! For a political resolution of the Basque-Spanish-French conflict!!

basquebelfast@hotmail.com

WHEN LOVE DEFEATS SADNESS

Banners where "ANA, we love you" could be read at the entrance of Portugalete welcomed Roberto Sainz's girlfriend. Roberto, Basque political prisoner died last Friday while holding a protest in the Spanish jail of Aranjuez. He allegedly died from a heart attack and his lawyers, family and Left Abertzale movement denounced he didn't have appropiated medical attention.

Ana, his girlfriend, was arrested along with him in 2003 and is a Basque political prisoners in the madrilian prison of Soto. As showed in the picture she was brought from jail to Portugalete for thirty minutes to say good bye to his boyfriend. They shared almost twenty five years together until they were arrested in 2003.

Despite the hard situation (she had to be given pills when she was told the bad news) she smiled to the hundreds of people who gathered to help her in these sad moments. Police tried to avoid all solidarity shows but once again people confront them.

LEFT ABERTZALE CALLS STRIKE AND PROTESTS

Three clear pictures taken during the tense last weekend can summarize the current political situation said Arnaldo Otegi in a Left wing pro-independence press conference yesterday.

In the first one he accused the Spanish state of trying to annihilate Basque political prisoners and pointed at the last two prisoners killings and the recent Spanish Supreme Court's decision on giving life sentences to Basque prisoners. He said that this is not the way to start a conflict resolution process.

In the second picture PNV (Basque Nationalist Party, right wing autonomist) is reflected when through their police brutally attacked funerals and protests. They are afraid of resolution and change Otegi said. They are trying to protect their business and status quo.

In the third picture is the Left Abertzale who showed his compromise with democratic resolution of the conflict but at the same time confronted firmly last week's attacks. Otegi said: "Nobody is going to stop us from paying tribute and giving a decent farewell to our prisoners. We love them and we won't leave them alone. Their are fighters for peace and freedom and our comrades in the struggle for independence and socialism."

To face this hard situation the Left Abertzale is going to keep firmly their positions pushing the democratic conflict resolution process and answering to all attacks strongly and with dignity.

Otegi pointed that it's not true that there weren't deaths in the last three years. It's the Left Abertzale who is paying the price of the brutal states repression with more than 10 activists killed in this period.

Then he called the Basque people to mobilize against the dispersal policy and in favor of the process on this Thursday's strike and protest day.

DESPITE BRUTAL POLICE ATTACK THOUSANDS GATHERED

Thousands gathered yesterday in Santurtzi and Portugalete to say good bye to Igor Angulo and Roberto Saiz, Basque political prisoners killed this week in Spanish jails. Both towns are just a few miles one from the other.

Hundreds of autonomous Basque police closed all routes to these towns in an attempt to stop thousands of people to gather and pay tribute to Igor and Roberto. The police charged brutally against the crowd and dozens were brought to hospitals.

Witnesses pointed that those scenes were even worst than the Franco's times. Batasuna asked the Basque Home Affairs minister to resign.

GENERAL STRIKE IN SANTURTZI IN PROTEST FOR IGOR'S KILLING

Almost all shops and bars are closed in Santurtzi today after a general strike was called in protest for their local Basque political prisoner Igor Angulo. More protests are to be hold during the day in all Basque Country. They are supported by majority of trade unions, social organizations and left wing pro-independence movement.

In a busy press conference and helped by more than fifty political prisoners relatives Igor Angulo's girlfriend made clear that "he is been murdered and nobody can have any kind of doubt". She said that even the jails' director was shocked and highlighted how despite political differences he had a good opinion about Igor and added that he was an important prisoner as he helped everybody (he got the nickname "Little Lawyer").

The forensics pointed that there are still strong reasons and contradictions to keep doubts on the circumstances of Igor's death.

BASQUE PRISONER ROBERTO SAIZ DIED TODAY

This is the second Basque political prisoner to die in the last five days.

Roberto Saiz (Bilbao, 1965) was holding a protest along with other political prisoners in Aranjuez prison (Madrid) when he felt bad and lost his consciousness. Later on he died from a heart attack as jailers told his comrades.

He was arrested in 2003 and denounced tortures while he was incommunicado on hands of the Basque peelers. At that time he was a LAB (pro-independence left trade union)representative.

EMOTIONAL WELCOME TO IGOR IN SANTURTZI

Despite the Basque Home Affairs' minister's prohibition (PNV government)one thousand people welcomed Igor Angulo Basque political prisoner's coffin in his town Santurtzi.

Santurtzi's usual landscape was transformed with thousands of raised fists, red carnations and Basque flags with black ribbons painting an emotional and tense picture. In fact nobody knew how the particular Basque peelers were going to react.

Sad faces, tears and "Igor, fighter, we remember you" and "The people won't forgive" shouts flooded the way from the town centre to the cemetery.

Then a humble political meeting took place and Juan Mari Olano, Askatasuna's spokeman, expressed the people's concerns by saying that "nobody proved that he committed suicide. He is been probably strangled." He also added that "the dispersal policy killed him" and pointed to the Spanish government and PNV (Basque Nationalist Party who helped in the design of such policy in the lates 80's)as responsibles for this. He accused the PNV of "sending the prisoners from the prison hole to the cemetery hole" as they didn't allow any kind of homage for Igor.

However tomorrow is been called a general strike in Santurtzi and a national homage on Saturday.