As reported from "Get Your News Here First", a respected syndicated newsweekly, Spain is facing increased World Pressure due to the latest terrorist bombings by the ETA, as can be read here:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe...ast/index.html
Spain was warned today by Israeli officials, who along with other Middle Eastern nations at a joint news conference, indicated that it is up to Spain to take "the necessary steps" to further the peace process with the ETA terrorists. A statement was made by Shlomo Irving von Hirschenboin, the Israeli Foreign Minister who is also the Senior Vice Presidnet in Charge of Human Rights at the UN yesterday morning at a joint press conference. "Investigation is not an option, and neither is a strong response, as that will only upset the suffering Basques even more," Hirschenboin added.
"It would appear that the occupation of Basque territory by Spain, unlawfully occupying, oppressing and humiliating the Basques, has caused this suffering - forcing them to conduct these bombings as a way to vent their frustrations, Hirschenboin was joined by Afatz Man Iam, the current leader of the well-respected Middle East Forum for Democratic Affairs.
"Only through the ending of this humiliation, can hope be given to the suffering Basques whose homes were stolen by Franco and others, trying to build a Greater Spain and eventually conquer all of Europe," Iam claimed at the same press conference.
Basque representatives who appeared at the press conference nodded in assent, stating the "Nazi tactics" by the Spanish in trying to stop the bombings only worsens the situation, inflaming the ETA freedom fighters more, leading to more attacks.
As one can see from these statements. it is clear that Spain needs to take a fresh look at how it is dealing with the Basques, and should try to, as the former US President Clinton would, "feel their pain." They have grievences which the Spanish don't seem willing to take into account, and their attemtps to occupy the lands of these people cannot be accepted by civilized nations of the world. A long-time noted Human Rights activist, Yasser Arafat, from the People's Democratic Republic of Palestine, travelled recently to the occupied Basque territories and spoke with some of the victims there of the Spanish aggressive attacks in trying to "humiliate the cilvilians," as he put it. He was amazed at the fortitude of the Basques in their resistance of the Spanish aggression, who routinely send in soldiers to steal food from the Basque supermarkets, even taking Basque delicacies like Crispy Corn Flakes and Honey Dijon Salad Dressing. Arafat described to me a near riot which ensued when a Spanish Battalian commander tried to grab the last of the aforementioned salad dressing bottles, and was promptly assaulted by local Basques decrying "first you take our land, and now you take our salad dressings?"
Recent attempts by Spanish authorities to negotiate were met by further Basque terror attacks. The writer of this article, along with many diplomats from the region, express utter amazement that after 5 attacks in one week, the Spanish wont make further concessions. What are they waiting for? How much more can they inflame the Basques? Surely the Spanish can see that by negotiating more, agreeing to more demands of the Basques, is only worsening the situation more for Spain.
All those at the press conference were in agreement that the Spanish simply cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith with the Basques, as they refuse to make any further concessions. What is needed is a multi-national force led by such liberal, human rights stalwarts such as Saudi Arabia, whose very soldiers sent as a peace-keeping force could also train the Spanish how to humanely deal with the Basque population, a people the Spanish have consistenly maligned as "dangerous" but are really just misunderstood .

Home
Reply With Quote
) It was because... the Israeli was in charge of the UN Human Rights Commission! THAT was the giveaway! 

Bookmarks