Spanish Separatism: ETA's (Euskadi ta Askatasuna) Threat to Basque Democracy (From Contemporary Terrorism, P 135-166, 1986, William Gutteridge, ed. -See NCJ-107558)

• NCJ Number: 107563
• Author(s): P Janke
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 32 pages
• Sale Source: Facts on File, Inc
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study of the Basque separatist group, Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA), examines its historic roots, ideology and support, the threat it poses to Spain's constitutional monarchy, and the state's response to Basque terrorism.

Abstract

Following a brief description of the Basque region, the paper describes ETA's 1973 assassination of Franco's Prime Minister, Admiral Correro Blanco. A history of ETA since its founding in 1959 focuses on the confusion between nationalism and ideology which has caused endless feuding and splits. The influence of Maoism in the 1960's and the Leninist approach as expressed by Moreno Bergareche in the mid-1970's are described. The paper examines the development of the ETA organization with its severe ups and downs, Eustakio Mendizabal's military front of the early 1970's, and the 1974 split between political and military factions. The political activities of Basque separatists during the reform period following Franco's death are reviewed, with attention to the Euskal Iraultzako Alderdia (EIA), the party of the ETA faction that renounced violence, and the Bill for Basque Autonomy. A historical account of the ETA military campaign details the death toll from Basque terrorism, describes the breakaway faction known as the autonomous commandos, and discusses foreign help. Footnotes and 13 references.