Basque Nationalists on Edge of Major Decision

Eleven people were arrested on allegations of terrorism, as Spanish authorities cracked down on suspects said to be involved with, or sympathetic to, the Basque terrorist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA).^[1] ETA is a Basque nationalist group which seeks greater autonomy and independence for the people of the Basque region of Spain,^[2] according to Joseba Zulaika, a professor at the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.^[3]

ETA has reached a defining moment in their history, in the next few weeks they may decide whether they are willing to follow a peaceful path for Basque independence (much like the Irish Republican Army) or return to violence.^[4] ETA previously announced a cease-fire in March 2006, but it appears that it came to an end in December when a parking garage was blown up in Madrid.^[5]

Batasuna, the outlawed political arm of ETA, is "a key player in the solution of ETA's political stalemate."^[6] With Batasuna apparently neutralized and stressed to form other parties or make alliances, the question becomes what path ETA will seek to have their voices heard?^[7]

In theory the peaceful means are prevailing as the cease-fire continues, "There is a possibility that they may return to violent actions…….In 1999, after [an earlier] cease-fire collapse, they came back with an immense assault. They came back with a vengeance… however this may be…a time for Batasuna to finally disengage from ETA,” Zulaika said.^[8]

However ETA may have decided to continue their previous violent attacks, Spanish police arrested eight people suspected of being members of ETA and seized 30kg of explosives and detonators, on March 28th.^[9] Police also found clamp mechanisms used for attaching bombs underneath cars, a method regularly used by ETA in the past.^[10] This may indicate that the decision has been made in favor of a return to violence.

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^[1] This is Basque for "Basque Homeland and Freedom,” ETA is classified as a terrorist group by the European Union, the United States and the United Nations. They have killed approximatly 800 people and caused about $15.5 billion in damage since the 1960s.
^[2] Steve Timko, Basque terrorist group's future remains uncertain, Reno Gazette-Journal, Apr. 4 2007, available at http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/NEWS10/704050348/1016/NEWS (last visited Apr. 4 2007).
^[3] Id.
^[4] Id.
^[5] Id. Two people sleeping in cars died in the explosion, but it appears ETA was trying not to kill anyone with that bombing.
^[6] Id.
^[7] Id.
^[8] Id.
^[9] Basque separatists arrested, explosives seized, Brisbane Times (Australia), March 29, 2007, available at http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/world/basque-separatists-arrested-explosives-seized/2007/03/29/1174761621451.html (last visited Apr. 4 2007).
^[10] Id.