Basque Independence - Celtic League's campaign of supportSee also:
AGM Resolution
Included in this document
Media clampdown a threat to democracy - 17 July
'98
Basque Media Clampdown - an attack on democracy - 17 July '98`"Attack on the Basque media goes
too far. This is no longer a localised
problem it is an attack on democracy and free speech throughout Europe".
The Spanish government seem unwilling to accept the lessons of recent history. Many of this centuries longest running conflicts have, over the past decade, been overcome via diplomatic conflict resolution. With the end of the Cold War the United States has adopted a pro-active role in encouraging warring factions world wide to settle their differences amicably. Most recently the first meaningful
steps for over thirty years were
taken in Northern Ireland, with the British and Irish governments
receiving
formidable backing from Washington., which saw that apparently
The Spanish government, wrestling with an emergency of its own creation in the southern Basque country, has chosen to ignores all the positive pointers to peaceful conflict resolution. It has waged a vicious and unsuccessful war against ETA and because of its failure to defeat what it sees as a militant separatist movement it has now broadened its attack. In jailing the complete Executive of Herri Batasuna it attacked democracy in Spain and in the Basque country in particular. The EU, like the pre WW2 democracies, looked the other way. Now with its attack on the Basque media and the closures of Basque newspapers and radio it goes too far. This is no longer a localised problem effecting the Basque region. It is an attack on democracy and free speech throughout Europe. Spain tries to justify its actions with
tales about the media being
used to communicate with terrorists. This justification might have been
lifted by turn of the century "ripping yarns" such as Buchan's
Even those elements of the pro government media in Spain are indicating quiet alarm. The news media of Europe should consider the implications if this action is not challenged. J B Moffatt
Standard Letter sent to European Ambassadors - 17 July '98The Ambassador
Embassy of........................................... Dear Ambassador,
The Celtic League has repeatedly expressed concern, to EU member
States,
about the repressive measures adopted by the Spanish government to
address
the political crisis it faces
Despite a wave of International criticism about the behaviour of Spanish security forces and also its extremely provocative action in jailing the complete Executive committee of the Basque National movement, Herri Batasuna, the EU has turned a blind eye. Repeatedly calls have been made, by our
organisation and others, for
Spain's partners in the EU, and particularly the British, to point the
Spanish government in the direction of conflict resolution along
The latest move by the Spanish government, in closing down the Nationalist newspaper Egin and its sister radio station, takes the situation beyond the pale. This is not an attack on ETA or even an attack on those Basques seeking self determination it is an attack on democracy itself. If the EU disregards this serious development it is sending a clear signal that its member States are allowed to take measures similar to those practised in the mid twentieth century fascist States. Whilst these attacks on the Basque media are officially a judicial and not a political decision the scarcely coded statements from Spanish Ministers, including Interior Minister Oreja, indicate that this latest step is politically driven. Spain is raising the stakes in its hard line campaign against Basque separatism and in doing so asking the EU, and democracies generally, to endorse attacks on the Freedom of expression. We call on your government, and all
countries committed to democracy,
to protest to the Spanish about this undemocratic act. We call on all
EU
States in particular to urge Spain to promote conflict resolution
Yours sincerely J B Moffatt
Part of correspondence to UK Foreign Office re Human Rights - 5th March '98The Celtic League is calling on
the British government (see below) to
show as much interest in human rights in Brittany and the Basque
country
as it does to events in the Balkans.
The League is writing to the Spanish authorities that bail be allowed for the leaders of Herri Batasuna pending their appeal against their imprisonment for their political believes. In a new and disturbing development a
number of Basque youths have been
detained the Celtic League is particularly concerned at this ominous
development
and the suggestion that some of these 18-19 year
David Moran
Dear Mr. Moran, I was surprised by your correspondence of the 19th of February. The delay in replying was disappointing, however what was of more significant concern was that your reply does not even appear to have been read prior to signature. Notwithstanding the incoherence of the
concluding sentence, the initial
part of the second paragraph is clear enough for me to deduce that the
Foreign Secretary does not apparently extend the human rights
It really is not good enough for a country such as the United Kingdom to turn a blind eye to the misfortune suffered by many citizens of France, part of the Breton minority, who have simply provided humanitarian support to Basque refugees fleeing repression in their own country. The "knock at the door" in the early hours has become a reality for many of these citizens and yet you advise that the United Kingdom does not have an opinion on this. Annick Lagadeg, a Breton journalist, was recently imprisoned in Rennes. The French authorities committed her to Prison despite the fact that the original sentence, which appears to have been imposed for the opinions she holds, had been set two years earlier. These are the sort of psychological pressure that ordinary citizens are being subjected to. I am sure that the Foreign Secretary does not simply apply the British government's humanitarian principles to the Albanian minority in Kosovo. I therefore appeal to Mr. Cook directly to enquire into the ongoing harrassment of Breton citizens whose sole crime appears to be to wish to assist political refugees from the Basque country. Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt
Text of Letter to President Clinton re Felipe Gonzalez - 07 Jan. '98PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
The Whitehouse Washington DC United States of America. Mr. President, I write to express our concern at
reports that your government is actively
promoting the appointment of former Spanish Premier Felipe Gonzalez, to
the role of Supervisor of the Organisation for Security
Gonzalez held power in Spain during a period when government sponsored death squads (GAL) waged a campaign of torture, murder and kidnap against what the Gonzalez government regarded as its enemies in the Basque country. There are serious allegations, still unresolved that Gonzalez knew personally of this campaign and participated in its formulation. Not only was the campaign directed at political opponents but many people unconnected to politics were used or abused during this period by the government run GAL. A man of Gonzalez' stature plainly has nothing to offer to an organisation such as the OSCE which is founded on principles of peace, respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The OSCE is one of the most important organisations established in this century and since its formation has greatly assisted to development of dialogue and consensus to end hostility and aggression in Europe. The Celtic League urge the United States government not to demean the organisation via the appointment of inappropriate individuals such as former Premier Gonzalez to a key role within it. Yours sincerely J. B. Moffatt
CC: OSCE Chairman in Office, OSCE NGO
Liaison office - Vienna
Text of Letter to Portuguese Government re Basque asylum seeker - 22 Dec. '97The Minister for the Interior
Ministry of the Interior Lisbon PORTUGAL Dear Sir I write to register our concern at the decision of your country's Interior Ministry to refuse political asylum to the Basque Refugee Jose Luis Telletxea Maia. I understand that a judicial review of this decision has confirmed this decision. It has been clear for sometime that a coalition of EU states have agreed openly to co-operate with Spain in repressing certain elements promoting national independence for the Basque country. It is of course perfectly appropriate
for governments to reach diplomatic
arrangements with neighbouring States. However, given that such an
arrangement
in all certainty underpins the decision taken in relation
The principle under which asylum
applications are considered is supported
by International law. Your decision to refuse this application is
flawed
because it is based on a political 'Accord' with a neighbouring state
from
which the asylum seeker comes. Therefore the decision to
The Celtic League will be formally complaining to the United Nations Secretary General about these alleged breaches. Yours sincerely J B Moffatt
French arrest five in Brittany 1st December '98French police arrested five people,
three of them Basques, on Wednesday
in the Lannion region of Brittany. They are suspected of involvement
with
the Basque armed organization Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA, Basque
Homeland
and Freedom), authorities said.
Francisco Xabier Gallaga Ruiz, Asier
Ormazabal Lizeaga, and Miren Iratze
Zorza were arrested in in the early morning. Annie Alexandre and her
husband,
Bernard Michon, from Brittany were also rested. All
Alexandre was arrested in 1992 and
sentenced in 1995 to 10 months in
jail for hiding Francisco Xabier Gallaga Ruiz. She was exempted from
serving
time provided she would not be convicted for similar
Today's arrests were ordered by Paris
"anti-terrorism" judge Laurence
Le Vert. Members of the elite force RAID led by chief of police Roger
Marion
and of the Rennes regional police, broke into Alexandre's home
When arrested, Francisco Xabier Gallaga Ruiz and Asier Ormazabal Lizeaga were carrying each a handgun which will prevent their immediate expulsion to Spain. They will be prosecuted in France for "association with criminals." Spain's Ministry of Interior Jaime
Mayor Oreja said today that the arrests
were the latest in a series by French police who earlier this month
apprehended
seven Basque refugees presumed to be members of
The Spanish government has accused ETA's leadership of orchestrating attacks in Spain from their headquarters in France. The Basque clergy supports negotiations with Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, which has been fighting since 1968 for national self-determination and an independent Basque Country. In January 1997 the Spanish Government
rejected an offer from Nobel
Peace laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel to mediate between the
government
and ETA and for peace talks.
The Minister of Justice
Dear Minister, I write to express our organisations concern at the arrest of Annie Alexandre and Bernard Michon in Brittany on November 26th. A number of Basque nationals were detained with them. These latest arrests are part of a series which seem aimed at harassing and deterring Breton nationalists from providing support to those fleeing oppression in the Basque country. They come at a time when the Spanish authorities seem set on further suppressing Basque political organisation and also in a week in which the Spanish authorities have once again been condemned internationally for their treatment of detainees in the Basque country. As the government of Spain drifts inexorably towards an almost fascist repression of its opponent, and specifically of those who seek political self determination, it seems strange that a government in France which advances socialist credentials should wish to align itself with them. The French government, and specifically your department, would do well to review its strategy of support for Spain in that countries continuing repression of the Basque peoples struggle for self determination. The Celtic League supports a negotiated settlement of the problems of the Basque people and movement towards such a settlement is not assisted by repressive action by the French against the Basque people either in the northern (French) Basque country (were other arrests have taken place) or in Brittany where many Basque nationalists have found shelter. Yours sincerely J B Moffatt
Text of Letter to Spanish Ambassador in Dublin re Herri Batasuna trialThe Ambassador,
Embassy of Spain, 17a Merlyn Park, Dublin, Ireland. Dear Sir, I write to express our concern at the "show trial" initiated in Madrid this week of leaders of the Basque National movement Herri Batasuna. The attempt to both smear and repress an organisation that has a clearly defined democratic mandate sets the clock back in Europe fifty years. The recent experience of other centralised States in Europe, such as he United Kingdom, which have attempted similar tactics to that currently being employed by your government against the Basques, have seen this strategy disastrously undermined by popular opinion. Put simply, Herri Batasuna enjoys considerable popular support in the Basque country at present and your governments efforts to undermine the organisation can only strengthen that support. I understand that another Basque Nationalist movement the (PNV) has described the trial of Herri Batasuna leaders as "a mistake". We would use somewhat stronger language than this and in our view the whole "show trial" is a corruption of the political and judicial process in a democratic society. In recent years Spain has projected internationally an image of devolved government to the International community. There were some who saw this as a positive development coming so swiftly after the return of democracy to Spain. Your governments action against Herri Batasuna indicate that your agenda is, as it always was, the maintenance of the nineteenth century "Nation State", in this Spain is a political dinosaurs as Europe looks forward to a new millenium where its diversity of peoples enjoy self determination. Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt,
Text of Letter to Spanish Minister for Interior - 07-07-97Jaime Mayor Oreja,
Ministerio del Interior, Paseo de la Castellana 5, 28071 Madrid, Spain. Dear Minister, I am writing to express the Celtic Leagues' concern at the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of four people in the Southern Basque country on July 1 1997, and the subsequent detention of two others on July 3. We are particularly concerned at the violence (which we understand the arresting authorities do not deny) associated with the arrests. There is unfortunately a long history of arbitrary violence to those detained by the Spanish Authorities in the Basque country and indeed some deaths have also occurred in questionable circumstances. We therefore urge you to: 1) take all prudent steps to guarantee the security of these detainees from physical and psychological abuse. 2) ensure appropriate medical examination and treatment for any with pre-existing health problems, or for those who sustained injury during arrest. 3) ensure that the detentions and arrests comply strictly with rights applicable under domestic and international law. The Celtic League appreciates that there are perceived security problems in relation to the Spanish authorities and those seeking self determination for the Basque country. Those problems however are best addressed via meaningful dialogue on a fully inclusive basis with all political organisations in the Basque country. Repression and harassment by the Spanish authorities of those working on a politically active basis for self determination will ultimately be counterproductive. A list of the six detainees with dates and times of arrest is appended. Copies of this correspondence will be forwarded by post to UK based Ambassadors of EU States for information. A copy will also be faxed in parallel with this message to you, to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman Treatment and Punishment, whom we understand have already made critical observations on the treatment of Basques similarly detained. Can I conclude by saying that it is incumbent on all political organisations, non governmental rights organisations, authorities, governments and individuals to show respect for human rights. On this basis a broader consensus for political progress in Europe can be achieved. I trust you will respond to this request in the same spirit as it is made. Yours sincerely J.B. Moffatt
7/7/97 cc. European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (Special Rapporteur) - by fax. attachment List of detainees etc.
Name Time and date of arrest Joxe Luis Erostegi 3-3:30am July 1 1997 Josu Uribetxeberria Bolinaga " Xabier Ugarte Villar " Joxe Miguel Gaztelu Etxandorena " Sabin Usandizaga Galarraga 1:40am July 3 1997 Emilio Arrizabalaga Ruiz de Azua 4:15am July 3 1997 Breton Citizens in fear of their lives - 06-04-97The following press release was
received by the Breizh Branch of the Celtic
League. The Central Committee has responded with an open
letter to National ambassadors to the E.U.
PRESS STATEMENT We wish to draw attention to the harassment to which Klaod an Duigou (officially Claude Le Duigou), a secondary school teacher and active member of the Breton Language movement, is subjected by the French Criminal Investigation Department. For several years now, a number of Bretons have put up Basque refugees in their homes, not because they wanted to support the ETA use of violence but out of concern that if they were extradited to Spain they would be tortured. Since 1990, 216 Bretons have been questioned and detained in this connection: 30 have received jail sentences (generally suspendedd), 17 others are due for trial (5 of them on 25 March) in Paris. K. an Duigou has played an important role in the setting up of committees to support those arrested. Protests have been backed by a large section of the Breton population, including several elected representatives. K. an Duigou had his house in Lorient searched on 23/03/94 on a warrant from Judge Laurence Le Vert. No evidence was found that he would have harboured Basques. But documents containing nothing of an illegal nature were seized. He was detained for 24 hours and released without charge. However the police took his photo and fingerprints. An attempt to incriminate him prior to the trial of 81 Basques and Bretons in Paris on 24-10-96 could not be sustained. His request for the return of the seized documents was ignored. What worries him much more is that his photo is kept in a police file marked ETA Militaire: he and another person, Christophe Millox, could see it in such a file in the Lorient Police Station early last year, and a third person, Anne Riou, wife of the editor of the nationalist monthly Combat Breton (himself then in police custody) had it also shown to her when being interrogated. Klaod an Duigou believes that this photo could be used to implicate him in cases with which he has nothing to do, when people are being questioned under harsh conditions which have frequently been denounced. It can be assumed that his photo is now in the files of the various French police services, which means the possibility of continuous harassment when he is travelling. It is likely also that it has been passed to the Spanish Police Services, members of which, as is well known, have been involved in at least 26 assassinations carried out by GAL on French territory. "This puts my freedom and even my life under threat," says An Duigou. He adds that the situation (for active Breton nationalists) has become very dangerous. In any case, the facts outlined here constitute a serious infringement of fundamental rights. Anyone concerned should write to: M. Le Procureur de La Republique,
asking for the documents seized on 23/3/94 to be returned to him and for his photo to be removed from the police files. An Open Communiqué to the Embassies of the European UnionCircularised on 6th April, 1997.
Dear Sir / Madam, Since 1990 216 Bretons have been subject to arrest or investigation on suspicion of harbouring or providing support to Basque refugees. Thirty people have received jail sentences which, although for the most part suspended, have been awarded after prolonged periods of remand. Trials are continuing in France and this number will undoubtedly increase. Protests against the French government's actions are backed by considerable numbers of people both in Brittany and in the other Celtic countries who believe it is an overriding principle of International humanitarian behaviour to provide support to people (in this case the Basques) who risk being tortured or imprisoned if extradited to Spain. Lest your government believes this to be an extreme representation we would remind you that: a)The entire Executive of the legitimate political Party Herri Batasuna were recently imprisoned. b)In tandem with this judicial drive against politicians, the murders continue and on 29th March, Jose Zabala, a Basque separatist activist, was found beaten and murdered after being held for some days by the Spanish Police. c)There is increasing evidence that the government of former Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzalez, was involved with the GAL assassination squads which operated both in the Basque country and also in the French area of the Basque country. Last year, the Spanish supreme court indicted the former Interior Minister in the Gonzalez government, Jose Barrioneuvo, on GAL related charges, accusing him with others of running the murder gangs. Many of those who have assisted the Basque refugees in Brittany also fear for their lives as there is evidence that the French police, either by accident or design, have identified them as being active in assisting "ETA-Militaire", despite the fact their involvement in assisting the Basques is purely humanitarian. The "close" cooperation between the Spanish and French police services over Basque separatists matters is well documented. We call on your government, via the institutions of the EU, to 1) use its good offices to prevail upon the French government to end repression of those providing humanitarian assistance to the Basques in Brittany. 2) support an independent investigation into the ongoing political repression in the Basque country, an end to the detention of members of Herri Batasuna and an enquiry into the murder of Jose Zabala. Thanking you in anticipation of a positive response. Yours faithfully, J.B. Moffatt,
Spain condemned for return to days of fascist repression - 3-02-97The Celtic League has written to
the Spanish Ambassador in London condemning
the Spanish authorities' repression of the Basque country's National
organisation,
Herri Batasuna. It is understood that an order has been made requiring
the 25 member committee of the long-standing political party to appear
before a Spanish supreme court based in Madrid before February 18th.
The matter relates to an election campaign video which included footage of members of ETA, the armed separatist movement, speaking in the Basque language. The Spanish authorities have chosen to interpret this as conspiring with terrorists and have given the Basque politicians a choice of explaining themselves before the court or being arrested. The letter to the ambassador states: "As a constitutional organisation, the Celtic League was optimistic that, when Spain emerged from the repressive years of its fascist past, it would move swiftly to right the injustices perpetrated against those National groups such as the Basques who have been unreasonably incorporated within the Spanish 'Nation' State against their will. Instead of progress, however, we see a return to repression." The letter goes on to call for a recognition of the Basque country as a separate nation as the only solution to the political conflict. The present course of threatening legitimate political movements is condemned as, "a retrograde step which will damage your country's credibility." The Basques are prepared to go to a Spanish prison: We should be prepared to voice our distaste for this heavy-handed tactic of the Spanish authorities, which ultimately can only serve to strengthen support for those who believe in direct action. The address for the Spanish Ambassador in London is: 39, Chesham Place,
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