Massive protest against ETA actions

By Vaiju Naravane

PARIS, NOV. 24. Almost a million people jammed the streets on Thursday in the Catalonian capital of Barcelona. The Prime Minister, Mr. Jose Maria Aznar, the Catalan leader, Mr. Jordi Pujol, the Socialist Party leader, Mr. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and dozens of politicians from across the country led the demonstration.

They were protesting the slaying on November 21 of Ernest Lluch (63), professor of economics at the University of Barcelona and former Socialist Minister. A man of immense stature, he was well loved for simplicity, integrity and untiring efforts to bring about peace in the terrorist-ridden Basque country. His killing had the usual Basque signature - two shots in the head at very close range. He was killed as he was parking his car in garage where the attackers were waiting for him.

The protestors, carrying placards condemning violence walked the seven blocks from Barcelona's Paseig de Garcia to the Plaza Catalonia, making up a thick sea of people. Many had painted their hands white in the traditional protest against terrorism, white hands signifying the washing away of blood.

This protest comes on the heels of the strong speech made by King Juan Carlos on November 22 after the slaying of Lluch, before the Spanish Parliament the Cortes, when he said ``This morning, Spain is in mourning''. Ceremonies to mark the 25th anniversary of the King's reign since the death of dictator General Franco and the institution of democracy were marred by the killing.

Lluch who served as Minister of Health from 1983 to 1986 was a popular TV commentator and columnist. Ms. Gemma Nierga, German journalist, who often hosted Lluch on her radio chat show said at an end-of-rally speech: ``Fascism has always claimed victory with death over intelligence. Today many of us have come out to proclaim that we are on the side of life.'' She said that Lluch would have liked to dialogue with his killers. Lluch's three daughters then took the platform with a banner saying ``Dialogue now''.

Lluch is the most prominent person to be killed since ETA launched a fresh wave of terrorist attacks after breaking its 14- month, self-imposed cease-fire last December. This year alone the Basque terrorist organisation has killed 21 persons and injured several others. Lluch's killing has given rise to confusion and anger and has shaken confidence in the government's obvious failure to stop Basqe terrorist attacks which have become bolder by the day. Earlier, they limited their targets to members of the police and the civil guard and elected officials. In recent weeks, they have struck in the heart of Madrid and now in Barcelona, Spain's second largest city and economic capital.

Lluch campaigned all his life for a dialogue with the Basques, something which Mr. Aznar has ruled out. He said that peace in the Basque region would come only through the integration of the Basque nationalist PNV party (moderate, which now runs the Basque country), into a united democratic front. But the chasm separating the various Basque formations today seems wider than ever.

Last Tuesday, Mr. Juan Jose Ibarretxe, head of the PNV's executive called for Royal intervention from Spain's much loved and respected King Carlos ``So that all the Basques may co- exist peacefully''. His proposal was immediately rejected by Spain's major parties, the Popular Party now in power and the Socialist Party. They said royal intervention would be unconstitutional.

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Section  : International
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