Spain

Basque Raid “Declaration of War"

The Spanish government raided a meeting and arrested 23 people associated with the Basque separatist group Batasuna. One of the free senior leaders has considered a ‘declaration of war’ against Basque independence. The raid was ordered by anti-terrorism judge Baltasar Garzo. Many people in Basque towns protested the arrests.

Pernando Barrena is one of the only Batasuna leaders that was not arrested in a Spanish Police raid of a party meeting. He considers the raid a “kidnapping” of officials and a ‘declaration of war.’ As of now, there are not too many implications, but if the separatists do take it to the extreme and go to war there could be problems. Since many people consider the Basques terrorists, the US could see a uprising in Spain as an opportunity to continue the “War on Terrorism,” or feel obligated to see it that way. The US would also have to deal with opinions from France, since part of the Basque population resides in Southern France. French/US relations are issues within itself. But, chances are even if there is a fight over a Basque nation, I don’t see the US getting too heavily involved in European affairs, especially since there are still many issues to deal with in the Middle East and Asia.

Realist

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7031815.stm

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/world/europe/06Spain.html?hp

October 6, 2007 at 3:02 pm