The ETA

1
The ETA

• A Slide Show
• By
• Josh

2
Who is the ETA

• They are a terrorist group that seeks to create a
  independent Basque State
• They have a political wing known as Herri Batsuna
• Formed originally under the oppression of the
  Franco regime

3
Where is the Basque Region

• The Basque Region is made up of providences in
  Spain and France
• There are 4 in Spain and 3 in France

4
Who are the Basques

• They are a indigenous peoples of Europe who have
  occupied their land since well before Roman times

• Their langue, know as Euskera, is unrelated to
  any other know language
• Spoken long before all of the other Indo-European
  languages that the rest of Europe speaks

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The Importance of Euskera

• The Basque have no true traditional geographic
  boundaries since the have never truly had a
  country
• Instead the Basque region is defined by where
  Euskera is spoken
• This means that it is important to keep the
  language alive, to make sure that each generation
  learns the language

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History of the Basques

• Were always heavily dependent on the sea
• In Middle Ages had made long voyages for fish,
  cod primarily, and whales
• Whales so important that many town seals have
  them on them
• Had more whale oil than any other European
  country from the late Middle Ages till the 1700s,
  enjoyed similar status as Saudi Arabia, currently
  does

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Discovery of New World

• Some evidence that Basques landed in the New
  World before Columbus
• Made up the Bulk of Columbus crew
• Had Whiling Stations in Labrador in the Sixteenth
  Century

8
Guernika
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Franco and the Basques

• In the 1930s Spain experienced a Civil War that
  in the end pitted the Basques against Franco
• Were amongst the stiffest opponents against
  Francos Nationalistic Army
• Picassos masterpiece was in response to the
  bombing of a Basque town by Franco

• Franco believed in one unified Spain, and opposed
  regionalism
• Punished region for opposition and declared two
  providences as traitor providences
• Banned the language of Euskera and suppressed
  economic investment

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ETA is Born

• Founded in 1959 with the aim of creating a
  homeland in the Basque region of Spain
• Must understand history to understand the current
  conflict
• Uses force to try to obtain goals

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Methods

• Car bombs are the primary method
• Targets of Bombs
• Opposition Politicians
• Tourism Industry
• Critics
• Spanish Economy

Map of recent ETA bombings
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Pictures of a Car Bomb
Opponents of the ETA must now check their cars
every time they leave them
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Membership

• Basques who are tired of trying to work with in
  the current info structure
• Membership tends to be young males, younger now
  than ever before
• Due to youth ETA has become more indiscriminate
  with use of force

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How the ETA Funds Itself

• The main way in which the ETA funds itself is
  through the use of a revolutionary tax, or more
  simply extortion, those targeted are seen as
  supporting oppression
• ETA also funds itself through bank robberies
• Kidnapping for ransom also popular technique

15
Current ETA Situation

• Currently under great deal of stress due to the
  climate that has taken hold in the Post-Sept. 11
  world
• Has seen assets frozen
• Was once able to find refuge in France but has
  fallen victim to increased corporation between
  French and Spanish Authorities

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Situation Continued

• Has faced increased internal pressure as well
  due to the fact that Spains ruling party is the
  Right Wing Popular Party
• The party has a hard line stance that lead to
  the end of the cease fire
• Before being elected to Prime Minister, the ETA
  tried to assassinate Jose Maria Aznar, pictured
  right

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Herri Batsuna

• Recognizance as the Political Wing of the ETA
• Similar to Sinn Fein and the IRA
• ETA called a fourteen month cease fire in
  September of 1998 in response to the Irish Forum
• Usual receives about 10 to 15 percent in
  elections of Basque Parliament

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Current Political Info structure

• Basque region enjoys a broad degree of autonomy
• Runs schools, in which Euskera is the primary
  language
• Has its own police force
• Has its own Parliament as well

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Key Issues in Dispute

• Who are the Basque
• Most agree that a Basque is some one who speaks
  Euskera, yet only about 30 percent speak it
• However in the three autonomous Basque
  Providences, 90 percent of the children are
  enrolled in Euskera schools

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Issues Continued

• What constitutes Basque Territory
• Autonomous state covers three region in Spain
• ETA wants a forth Navarra, and some French
  territory
• Only thirty to forty percent want a independent
  state depending upon the poll

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Conclusion

• The ETAs goal is to create a homeland for the
  Basque people
• ETA has been responsible for 800 deaths since
  1968
• The Popular Party has taken a stance that it will
  not negotiate with a terrorist force
• If you dont go to the roots of the problem,
  this problem is never going to be solved. And
  theres going to be more killing - Loren
  Arkotxa member of the Herri Batasuna

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