One can read about the bombings in the front page article in today's English version of El País HERE .

Fernando: I can assure you that we have more than just Jesse Jackson. It goes to show just what a weak case the ETA has, that this is the only way they can draw attention to their cause. I am sure that under Spanish law there is some provision to address"a redress of a grievance." This would be within the perameters of the law. Yet this sort of cowardice attack is the method that they use.

Fernando,

I considered sending you a personal email but then figured I might not be the only one wondering about this issue -

With the advent of the past very successful joint Spanish-French police actions taken under the auspices of the EU international police (forgive me, but I can't think of the proper name)- if Zapatero should decide to "talk" - would the EU anti-terrorist police force still be able to continue arresting ETA members and sealing their arms caches? Also, what would such an action by Z have on the political prosecution of ETA in the Spanish courts?

W

Hi Puna

It is a difficult question to answer...

The joint operations between Spain and France are a consequence of historical agreements, cooperation and billateral cooperation. EU police (Europol) is formed by EU national policemen. Thus, Europol is not an independent police.

But to answer directly your question: I don't believe our Government will do anything but prosecute ETA, and in the case they negotiate with them, they will make ETA unveil their arsenals and destroy their weapons. Of course the spanish and french police will continue to monitor and prosecuting them. We have had enough false ceasefires to believe the next could be fair.

Fernando

Thank you my friend

Also for giving me the word I was missing-Europol!

This morning (Monday) there were ETA-arranged explosives around spain. There were no injuries. Here's part of the USATODAY.com article HERE :

Posted 12/6/2004 8:07 AM Updated 12/6/2004 8:21 AM
Explosions reported in Spain after calls

MADRID (AP) — At least six explosive devices detonated Monday around Spain after telephone warnings from callers claiming to speak on behalf of the armed Basque separatist group ETA, news reports said.

Explosions were reported in Leon and Santillana del Mar in the north, Avila and Ciudad Real in central Spain, Alicante in the east, and Malaga in the south, the news agency Europa Press reported.

The Interior Ministry said it had confirmed at least three explosions. It reported no injuries.

(................)

Another device was defused Saturday in the southern city of Almeria.

Spanish security forces were on alert Monday, a public holiday marking the 26th anniversary of the passage of the Spanish constitution. The document laid the groundwork for Spain's system of granting broad autonomy to regions like the northern Basque country.

ETA wants outright independence for the region and has been blamed for more than 800 deaths in its decades-old campaign of violence.

(read the rest of the article HERE )

It is very sad to read about ETA as "the armed Basque separatist group ETA"

It is like if someone called Al-Qaeda "the armed moslems' liberator group Al-Qaeda". It is not only inexact but also somewhat insulting.

I think that some journalists in USA (and other countries) should really rethink how they label ETA and other terrorist groups.

Fernando

Hi All,

I've been looking for information on the web about the Ciudad Real ( that's closest to home for me) explosion but have found very little...

If anyone runs across any good links, please post!

ABC Newspaper Online
El Pais Cover Story - 1:42pm MST

thanks.

To add to Megia's request. I am looking for more information on the bomb in Alicante. I have several friends who live there...and I am having trouble finding much info (or getting ahold of them).
Thanks-

Fernando,

When I was reading the news stories this morning, it struck me that ETA was constantly referred to as "Basques Separatists," or "Basque separatist group," by the media outside of Spain, I did not find them mentioned as a terrorist group or organization.