Ezra Klein: ETA and the Roots of Terrorism

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August 26, 2007

ETA and the Roots of Terrorism

There is no country in Europe that interests me more than Spain. There is no ongoing issue in Spain that frustrates me more than ETA, one hopes the last homegrown terrorist organization in Western Europe.

I've been reading Giles Tremlett's excellent book, Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through Spain and Its Secret Past and recommend it heartily, especially if you have an interest in Spain. His chapter on ETA is especially compelling.

Why does ETA want independence, especially for what appears to be only the Spanish portion of the historic region? Granted, there is no question that much of the region suffered greatly under the dictatorship of Franco, who referred to the region as the "rebellious provinces" and who banned the language from being spoken, while rewarding the communities of Alava and Navarre for supporting his uprising. Times have certainly changed, however:

Basque is acknowledged as an official language in Spain, despite the fact that it is not spoken by a majority of the population within the Basque country and barely has one million speakers and even fewer who speak it as a first language. . Here is the website for the Basque language verson of Spain's national rail system called RENFE. It's also available in Gallego and Catalan in addition to Castellano.
The Basque Region has at least as much autonomy as any other region in Spain, if not more.
The Basque Region has far and away the best economy in Spain, including the most disposable income in the country.

Granted that the government of former Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez committed acts that probably spurred younger people into supporting ETA, but that was years ago. So, why the desire for independence that leads to such horrid violence? Why the obsession among some with the fact that the Basque population has a higher percentage of RH- in its population or the claims that the Basques have unusual crania? Why the insistence that a referendum be held for independence when recent polls show only 38% of the population would vote for independence?

I wish I knew.

August 26, 2007 in Books, Europe, Terrorism | Permalink

Comments

It seems to me analogous with separatist movements in Northern Italy; the Basque region of Spain is actually more industrialized, more developed than most of the rest of the country. I think there is the sentiment that an independent Basque state would be not only prosperous but freed of the 'obligations' that the nationalists feel the larger state is sucking from them. It's not an outlook I agree with, but not all nationalist or separatist movements are from the poor and downtrodden.

Posted by: El Cid | Aug 26, 2007 10:01:12 PM

Catalonia has a separatist movement as well, but the larger question is why the violence?

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 26, 2007 10:08:16 PM

It's an interesting question. I have no special insight into why the Catalans and the Basque have taken different paths on this question, but I've spent time wondering about it myself, especially after spending a few weeks in Catalonia last summer.

Posted by: fiat lux | Aug 26, 2007 11:18:39 PM

Why the obsession among some with the fact that the Basque population has a higher percentage of RH- in its population

used to have high miscarriage rates.

Posted by: razib_the_atheist | Aug 27, 2007 1:37:30 AM

razib,

I understand, but there is a tendency among some to use this as a justification for the Basques being genetically different, to which my response is "great, but it doesn't mean you have to kill people."

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 27, 2007 10:09:26 AM

sure. but do note that some of the people who want to claim basques are genetically different are basque nationalists ;-)

Posted by: razib | Aug 27, 2007 12:28:57 PM

Exactly!

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 27, 2007 12:35:08 PM

Randy,
The first step to understanding the Basque Country is separating the terrorism issue from the independence issue. The issue then becomes not why ETA wants independence but rather twofold: (1) why does ETA still exist, 25 years after the election of Felipe Gonzalez; and (2) why do a significant percentage of Basques want independence.
On the first question, even among the 15% of Basque who support the "nationalist left" / Batasuna political party, in my experience, a large majority is opposed to the continued violence. The reason for the persistence of Basque terrorism, to my mind, is a combination of the spiraling cycle of violence (action - reaction - counter reaction), entrenched partisan interests both in the Basque Country and Spain that benefit from the conflict, and the lack of political will to bring a negotiated end to the violence.
On the second question, the poll you cite actually suggests that a plurality of Basques supports independence. 38% say that they would vote in favor while only 31% say they would oppose independence, if asked in a referendum. Rather than rattle off a list of problems with the current level of autonomy, which is in actual fact much less than the autonomy that U.S. states enjoy, I would summarize the basic issue as a desire for self-determination, control over their own destiny. That shouldn't be so hard to understand from our own historical experience.
Finally, just a small correction. Basque is certainly not an official language of Spain. It is not even the official language of all of the traditionally Basque speaking regions. While Basuqe is the co-official language of Euskadi (consisting of the provinces of Alaba, Guipuzkoa and Bizkaia), it is only co-official in the northernmost third of Navarre and is not afforded any official recognition in the three Basque provinces in southwest France (Lapurdi, Behenafarroa, and Zuberoa).

Posted by: argi | Aug 27, 2007 1:53:40 PM

Argi,

Thanks for the clarifications on the language status. I should have been more clear. It has a status certainly that it did not have in the Franco years, as do Catalan and Gallego.

As for the poll I cited, that still leaves less than a majority supporting independence.

Felipe Gonzales is part of the reason why ETA still exists. I'm convinced that GAL spurred another, younger generation of ETA supporters. To my knowledge the kale barroka activities did not occur before GAL.

I would summarize the basic issue as a desire for self-determination, control over their own destiny. That shouldn't be so hard to understand from our own historical experience.

Much as Catalunya wants, but as I noted in my post, without the violence. I agree with you about the issue of political will. Witness the nastiness of the PP when the slightest mention of peace talks with ETA was brought up.

By the same token, it's worth remembering that when things looked favorable, ETA bombed Barajas, which essentially torpoeded the talks.

What will be interesting - and I'd like your thoughts on this - is what will in happen in the French provinces now that they have been active in assisting Spain in rounding up ETA members.

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 27, 2007 2:16:41 PM

Randy,

Much as Catalunya wants, but as I noted in my post, without the violence.

I'm going to insist on bifurcating the question of "why the desire for independence" from why "such horrid violence." The Basque Country and Catalunya, as you note, share a long-held desire for greater autonomy from Madrid, albeit with different cultural and historical experiences. But neither the "Basque County" nor "Catalunya" are monolithic entities. Most Basques who support independence reject violence completely. And there are reasoned and logical underpinnings for their desire (i.e., a belief in self-determination; a more active civil society and progressive polity than Spain as a whole; preservation of their cultural heritage; promotion of their own language; a desire for local control over matters ranging from education to policing; aversion to a brand of virulently anti-Basque/Catalan politics pervasive in Madrid; frustration with the Spanish justice system etc.) These reasons, by the way, have absolutely nothing to do with late 19th century views of Sabino Arana on Basque genetics. That's really is a red herring when it comes to understanding the Basque situation. If I had to focus on one factor, I would look to the language issue, because it shapes conceptions of identity like none other.

The best answer to why violence persists in the Basque Country is probably found in: (a) the sociology of the Basque nationalist left; (b) the vested interests of the Spanish state, military police, PP and, perhaps surprisingly, PNV, in perpetuating the conflict; (c) ETA's stupidity; and (d) questionable tactics on the part of the Spanish State including, as you mention, state-sponsored terrorism (the GAL), but also "enhanced interrogation techniques" practiced on detainees, attacks on freedom of expression (e.g., the shutting of the Gara and Egunkaria newspapers), and the disenfranchisement of nearly 20% of the Basque electorate. Now, don't get me wrong, none of this excuses ETA's reprehensible violence in the least. In fact, even putting aside morality, terrorism is counter-productive for the Basques (compare, e.g., the results of the 1998 basque elections during the previous cease-fire to the 2001 elections). But the aforementioned factors do create a climate in which ETA manages to persist.

By the same token, it's worth remembering that when things looked favorable, ETA bombed Barajas, which essentially torpoeded the talks.

I largely agree with your reading, although I don't think that ETA intended the Barajas bombing to end the peace process. Rather, ETA has a bit of an IRA complex and more likely were trying to emulate the 1993 City and 1996 Canary Wharf bombings as a pressure tactic in the negotiations. That was a bone-headed move, especially given the PP's opposition to the very existence of a peace process, that backfired when two Ecuadorian immigrants were killed in the Barajas attack. The Zapatero government also bears some of the responsibility for botching a historic opportunity. Fearful of the relentless demagoguery of the right-wing PP, Zapatero failed to take charge of the peace process and lead it forward.

Unfortunately, after the Barajas attack, the Zapatero government had no choice but to break off talks. The basic framework of the ceasefire (absence of violence in exchange for permitting Batasuna to return to the political arena in the May 2007 local elections) unraveled.

What will be interesting - and I'd like your thoughts on this - is what will in happen in the French provinces now that they have been active in assisting Spain in rounding up ETA members.

I don't anticipate any ETA activity directed at French targets. It just won't happen. France has been cooperating with Spain on counter-terrorism since at least the early 1990's, although it's true that since 9/11 they have certainly been more cooperative. What may occur, though, is that ETA relocates some of its logistical infrastructure to Portugal and to large Spanish cities.

One last observation...

Why the insistence that a referendum be held for independence when recent polls show only 38% of the population would vote for independence?

I'm not going to quibble over whether a poll that shows that 38% would vote in favor of independence, 31% against, 13% would abstain, and 19% are unsure signifies that less than a majority support independence. The answer to your question is much simpler. Democracy.

Posted by: argi | Aug 27, 2007 5:26:56 PM

But regarding the language issue, I think that the Catalans have a much more compelling argument than the Basques. Catalan is the official language of Andorra and is spoken much more widely and in a broader area than Basque, which more than a quarter century after Franco's death remains a minority language in the Basque provinces. Ibarretxe didn't even learn it until he was an adult.

As for the violence question, I have no doubt that most Basques are against the violence, but it also has a chilling effect on sensible discussion of the issue in Spain. How many Basque businessmen are willing to say no to ETA's extortion since José Maria Korta was blown up in 2000 for refusing to pay the revolutionary tax? How many people when looking at the fact that Gotzone Mora had to switch her office at the University where she taught, be walked to and from her office by bodyguards and drive in an armed car, while people avoid her company out of fear for their lives because she's been targeted by ETA, decide it's best just to shut up. Context is important and the violence - whether most are against or not - can't help but color the situation.

As for the genetics issue, it still gets bandied about and there is still a significant element who actually believe it matters.

As for separatism, Spain has a long history of this. Cartagena declared itself independent in 1873 to what end? If you'll permit me some snarkiness, what league would Athletic Bilbao play in? One consisting of Osasuna, themselves and Real Sociedad? I live in New York and while I'm not thrilled that my state is a net payer of taxes and have precious little in common with people from Kansas who think evolution is nonsense and have faith in creation "science" and "intelligent design," I feel no burning need to throw them over, nor do I feel particularly oppressed by the fact that Wyoming with its 300,000 residents has as many senators as New York does.

With regard to the democracy issue, if a referendum were held and it failed, do you believe that would stop calls for independence?

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 27, 2007 8:26:51 PM

Randy,

You might be interested in reading Mark Kurlansky's book on the Basques: The Basque History of the World. It's hands down the best book written about the Basque situation in English, and Kurlansky is a very sharp writer. I have a couple final observations on your last post before getting back to the work at hand.

But regarding the language issue, I think that the Catalans have a much more compelling argument than the Basques.

No doubt that Basque remains a minority language in the Basque Country. But I would venture that the Basque language shapes identity more profoundly than the romance languages spoken in Spain, because of its uniqueness as a linguistic isolate, its lack of transparency to outsiders, and its status as an endangered language. Curiously, the Basque language divides the world linguistically between euskaldunak (Basques / Basque speakers) and erdaldunak (those who speak other languages). Euskara constitutes the touch-stone of the identity of a people who have been speaking the same language since even before the Indo-Europeans arrived in the Iberian peninsula.

Moreover, the linguistic panorama of the Basque Country is rapidly changing. In 1991, the date of the study you cited, 25% of youth aged 16-24 were bilingual. By 2001, 48% were bilingual and that trend will continue due to the prevalence of Basque-language schooling. By 2006, 75.6% of new school enrollment in the Basque Autonomous Community was in the Basque language model, 23.5% in the bilingual Basque/Spanish model and less than 1% in the Spanish-with-Basque-as-a-second-language model.

As for the violence question, I have no doubt that most Basques are against the violence, but it also has a chilling effect on sensible discussion of the issue in Spain.

I completely agree. As Julio Medem's documentary La Pelota Vasca (another recommendation!) vividly tells, there are tragic stories on all sides. But sensible people can't let the background of violence be invoked like a "war on terror"-mantra to attempt to silence critical discussion.

As for the genetics issue, it still gets bandied about

I guess, but only by the right-wing PP noise machine...

and there is still a significant element who actually believe it matters.

If you mean "matters" as an issue of political import, then no, you wouldn't be able to find a "significant" number of people who still believe this. And the few that cling to such antiquated beliefs would almost undoubtedly be found amongst PNV supporters in Bizkaia, not amongst ETA or Batusuna supporters as your initial post implies.

If you'll permit me some snarkiness, what league would Athletic Bilbao play in? One consisting of Osasuna, themselves and Real Sociedad?

You're forgetting Alaves, and Eibar, and Real Union.... Seriously, Dynamo Kiev now plays in the Ukranian Premier League, AC Sparta Praha plays in the Gambrinus league after the dissolution of the former Czechoslovakia, and you'll find the Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, not in the English Premier League, where they play the likes of Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Motherwell instead of Chelsea, Man U or Liverpool. So perhaps. But I suppose whether that's a desired outcome should be up to the Basques to decide for themselves.

Or perhaps the dissolution of national borders will continue in Europe (see, e.g., the movement towards a European super league) or an accommodation can be reached somewhere short of complete independence but more than the current arrangement. On that note, the E.U. is an interesting influence on micro-nationalism, as many historic territories now view the nation state as a superfluous interlocutor between the local and the global.

I live in New York and while I'm not thrilled that my state is a net payer of taxes and have precious little in common with people from Kansas

But I'm sure that on another level, you feel a sense of community, shared history and a common political endeavor with the God-fearing Kansans that the Basques just don't feel towards the Spanish. And New Yorkers certainly don't feel dominated, disrepected, or oppressed by either Kansas or the U.S. as a whole, as many Basques view Madrid.

With regard to the democracy issue, if a referendum were held and it failed, do you believe that would stop calls for independence?

No, of course not, but why should it? The losing side would still be entitled to try to change the "hearts and minds" of those who voted against independence, and revisit the question once a sufficient time has passed or the basic background facts change. Quebec has now held two referendums on independence and I'm sure some day there will be a third. Conversely, I also don't think that a vote in favor of independence should automatically result in an independent state. The general principle is a question of rights: that the Basques should have the right to determine their own destiny in a democratic fashion, but when we are talking about the dissolution of a nation state, some sort of super-majority requirement makes sense.

Posted by: argi | Aug 28, 2007 2:54:49 PM

I mentioned the teams in the Primera Liga. Alaves and the otehrs you mention are not.

I read Kurlansky's book. While I liked much of it, IMHO, he really soft-pedaled ETA and he completely lost me when, in discussing the failure of the ceasefire, made the following comment:

"How would Spain justify its huge armed forces, Guardia Civil and police if it no longer had enemies?"

That's truly asinine.

But I'm sure that on another level, you feel a sense of community, shared history and a common political endeavor with the God-fearing Kansans

Not really.

And New Yorkers certainly don't feel dominated, disrepected, or oppressed by either Kansas or the U.S. as a whole, as many Basques view Madrid

Really? Come live here for a while and visit the South and Midwest, something I do regularly. They hate New York.

And the few that cling to such antiquated beliefs would almost undoubtedly be found amongst PNV supporters in Bizkaia, not amongst ETA or Batusuna supporters as your initial post implies.

Xabier Arzalluz makes that argument. I didn't imply that it was limited to ETA and Batsuna, either.

But sensible people can't let the background of violence be invoked like a "war on terror"-mantra to attempt to silence critical discussion.

No, but when your peers are being killed it does matter.

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 28, 2007 3:12:02 PM

I mentioned the teams in the Primera Liga. Alaves and the otehrs you mention are not.

To my great sorrow, neither is Real Sociedad...

Posted by: argi | Aug 28, 2007 3:38:45 PM

Oh, hell that''s right. I forgot they fell out last season.

Posted by: Randy Paul | Aug 28, 2007 3:45:06 PM

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