Jan 08 2009
Euskal herritarok
The world is changing, evolving and, some would say, getting smaller. The old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been broken down, allowing independence for the Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, et al. The Baltics are reestablished as seperate countries, most with EU membership. The Balkans are back, and the Czechs and Slavs now have a country each. The EU is enlarging quickly and recognising the rights of many old and new communities. Surely now is the time for the EU to finally act and recognise the independence of the Basque lands and people from their Spanish and French occupiers.
The Basques, known in their own language as Euskadi, have existed since paleolithic times, pre-dating the Indo-Europeans. They have their own language, still taught and extensively used, their own religious history (based around earthly Gods; Mari and Sugaar primarily), and have faced more persecution than almost any other peoples.
Why should an English man care about the Basques, and what business is it of mine to poke my nose into the affairs of France and Spain? A valid question, but which can easily be answered. History, morality and conscience.
When Roman Catholicism turned away from fighting Saladin in Jerusalem, and instead started targetting Christians for eradication, the Basque people aligned with the Templar ethos prevalent at that time in Southern France and the Pyrhennes, and allowed protection to Jews, Muslims, Cathars and other Christian faiths. As a consequence of this, the church persecuted the followers of the Basque religion under heresy and witchcraft trials.
During the 1930s, Franco attempted to assimilate them, and Hitler used the territory as a proving ground for new weapons technologies in the build up to the second world war. When the war itself was underway, the Basques aided the Allies in carrying out guerrilla warfare against the Germans occupying France, and supplying information to London. These actions were appreciated by many artistic people, notably Picassos ‘Guernica’ painting and Hemingway in his novel ‘For whom the bell tolls’. Unfortunately, politicians have decided successively to be completely ungrateful for this assistance, although in 1979 the Spanish government did allow the people some level of autonomy. France, however, has no such provision for the territorial part of the Basque homeland within its boundaries.
The Euskadi have a language that is not related in any way to the romance languages, though does have a similarity with Welsh, especially when heard spoken. They embrace many european sports, most notably football and rugby union, and have long played Jai Alai (or, pelota).
There are seven autonomous regions to the territory, which cover the old Pais Vasco and parts of Navarro and Aquitaine. Predominantly its industry has been based on iron and steel, with agriculture outside of the major cities. As such, there is quite a bit of wealth in the area, which explains Spains retiscence to allow freedom to the land.
Graciously, following the world wars, Britain gradually gave up its empire; a reward for the support given by non-European peoples to our cause in those bloody conflicts. It is time that Europe thanked the Basques for their individuality, morality and support.
President Sarkozy is currently trying to bring a peace to the Middle East, and recognition for the Palestinians, alongside safety for Israel. This is highly commendable behaviour, but I hope that upon his return to the Elyssee Palace, he can open dialogue with Spain to finally free the Euskadi, and deliver Euskal herritarok (Basque independence).
In Europe, we have all learnt that you must talk to terrorists, as despicable as this idea may seem to Americans. People such as Yasser Arafat, Martin McGuiness and Nelson Mandella were all regarded as terrorists by their governments, but were brought to the table and have helped to bring peace and stability, albeit a task that is still ongoing in certain arenas. End the Basque occupation and division, and there would be no more ETA. No more bombs, kidnappings and disruptive action. ‘Peace in our time’ may be possible across Europe. There is little doubt that the Euskadi would wish to be a part of the EU and UN, and certainly Europe would benefit from this.
