ETA

[Soul Rebel]

I just want to know how people feel about ETA (in Spain). I am from there so I know the history and the crisis and have formed my own opinions (even though I struggle with it), but would like to know how you feel. But please respond with some actual knowledge of the subject.

[Conghaileach]

I agree with the principles of their struggle. However, their tactics are very poorly chosen. They attack the Spanish tourist industry because that is Spain's biggest industry. But it's too indiscriminate, kills too many civilians - mainly trourists who don't know anything about the situation. Ignorance is not a crime.

[Larissa]

I agree with CiaranB (and Sub-comandate Marcos). Eta's struggle is ok. But what's not ok at all is the means to "convey" their struggle.

I do not support "terrorism" under any circumstances. Say ETA or US.

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

I agree too, I support their cause, but their tactics set the people of Spain against them.

[Just Joe]

people die in wars. its the nature of war. people will die in the struggle for Basque national liberation as they will die in the imperialists war against Iraq. the difference is that ETA's struggle is a just one; for the national liberation and socialisation of there own homeland.

IRA, PLO, ETA, one struggle

Tiocfaidh Ar La

http://www.flaggenlexikon.de/baskenld.gif

[deimos]

I support some things of ETA. But to be honous I don't support their "fight for freedom". To me it seems that they already have their freedom. they can speka and teach their language and its also an official language. They can practice their culture. I don't understand their fight.

[Soul Rebel]

i agree with you deimos. each region of spain has its own language and culture, which we all practice freely. this is the area in which people are wrong, ETA's fight is not to free themselves to practice their own way of life, but from the Spanish government. Since WW2 the Basque people have felt betrayed by the government and this is why ETA was born. This where it gets uncomfortable because we all know what happened and may agree that it was a horrible tradegy, but we don't agree with ETA's actions. To become a seperate state would not help. But it is also the governments fault for handling this situation the way they have. They need to take a new approach.

[deimos]

Why have the basque ppl felt betrayed?I am not sure, but I think that even during Franco the basque ppl cold practice their culture.

[Irish Republican]

Quote: from deimos on 2:46 pm on Mar. 23, 2003
Why have the basque ppl felt betrayed?I am not sure, but I think that even during Franco the basque ppl cold practice their culture.
No they couldnt, their language was banned among other things...

[Soul Rebel]

The Basques have felt betrayed due to the bombing of Guernica on April 26, 1947. The place was bombed by German planes. This was called Hitler's contribution to the fascist war effort in Spain. Of course many civilians were killed. Come to find out the government had allowed Germany to do this, they knew about it the whole time. When Franco then came to power he blamed it on the people on the Basques themselves. The Spanish gvrnmnt. to this day still has to apologize, whereas Germany already has. So for 33yrs. ETA has been fighting with terrorism, killing politicans and innocent civilians (such as a little girl over the summer of 2002), and those that speak out against them. And as Irish Republican mentioned, Franco was intent on vanishing their language and culture. This is because the Basques did not support Franco and showed resistance. But it wasn't only the Basques who suffered, Spain as a nation suffered due to Franco. People were afraid to talk about Franco in a bad way, if you did you were at risk to be arrested by the secret police.