BASQUES - SPAIN NEGATIVE OVER PEACE PROCESS

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday August 05, 2002 23:46 by CELT EIRE

CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It focuses on human rights abuse and civil liberty issues and also monitors the impact of military activity.

CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION

BASQUES - SPAIN NEGATIVE OVER PEACE PROCESS

The negative attitude of the Spanish government to engaging in a peace
process similar to that put in place in Northern Ireland was criticised
at the Celtic League AGM this weekend.

Meeting on the Isle of Man delegates from the various Celtic countries
were updated by the League Secretary General, Bernard Moffatt, on
the continuing support by the Celtic League for the development of
dialogue which would bring about an end to political violence surrounding
Basque attempts to achieve self determination.

The Secretary General told the meeting that the Basques, like other
indigenous peoples in Europe today denied autonomy by the old 'Nation
States', had an absolute right to achieve self determination. The
response of the Spanish government to moves to promote a process similar
to the Northern Ireland peace initiative had been to further repress
democratic voices which represent the Basque people. In particular
he highlighted ongoing repression of Batasuna, the Basque nationalist
group, and also the Basque Youth movement.

In discussion delegates also alluded to the hypocritical stance of
the French government whose cooperation with the Spanish in questionable
imprisonment of Basque activists and their supporters and the facilitation
of extradition of ETA suspects to a regime known to condone torture
was condemned.

The following resolution was adopted by the meeting:

"This AGM:

a) Expresses its concern at the continuing failure of the Spanish
government to engage in a constructive peace process aimed at ending
violence and achieving self determination for the Basque people.

b) Notes with concern the decision of the Spanish authorities to continue
to harass and frustrate the organisation of democratic bodies in the
Basque country including both the Basque Nationalist Party (Batasuna)
and the Basque Youth movement."

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It focuses
on human rights abuse and civil liberty issues and also monitors the
impact of military activity.

Internet site at

http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague/