Car Bomb in Northern Spain Heavily Damages Police Barracks

[Nikos]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-07-29-voa28.cfm

Spanish authorities say a powerful car bomb has heavily damaged a Civil Guard barracks in the northern city of Burgos, lightly wounding at least 46 people.

Spain's Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubacalba blamed the Basque terrorist group ETA for the early-morning attack. The multistory barracks housed members of Spain's paramilitary police force and their families - 120 people, including 41 children.

The minister said the perpetrators undoubtedly were trying to kill those inside.

ETA has killed more than 825 people since the late 1960s in its push for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwestern France.

Disgusting, and it goes to show the threat of Terrorism is not limited to Islamic terrorists alone, it is a world wide threat. Why Spain hasn't cracked down harder on this Basque group I don't know, but they have to if they don't want incidents like this to happen again. Thank God no one was killed.

[BlackPirate]

Actually Spain with the help of France, has arrested hundreds of important ETA members, but the organisations seems to continue to be active despite all these drawbacks

[Nikos]

Actually Spain with the help of France, has arrested hundreds of important ETA members, but the organisations seems to continue to be active despite all these drawbacks

It's obviously not enough when attacks like this still occur.

[Erik]

It's obviously not enough when attacks like this still occur.

"Cracking down" on terrorism doesn't help to prevent it.
In fact: it's probably counter productive.

It's just like how the "war in drugs" has BOOSTED drug use in the UK by 400%.

I think the best way to tackle ETA is by getting the vast majority of Basque people to oppose them.
From what I understand the majority already opposes them, but they still have some popular support left.
Making a few compromises (more autonomy, for example) would probably be enough.

Same as the German RAF: they simply dissolved themselves once they lost all popular support.

[Heinz Guderian]

We should negotiate with them. Ask they what they want. Tell them what we want. Then make a deal.

[Nikos]

We should negotiate with them. Ask they what they want. Tell them what we want. Then make a deal.

Well unless France and Spain want to cede a chunk of their respective territories to a new "Basque State" then they will continue the attacks.

[Heinz Guderian]

Well unless France and Spain want to cede a chunk of their respective territories to a new "Basque State" then they will continue the attacks.

Well, if most of that territory is Basque, and the people living in that territory have a referendum and want to be independent, then it would be rather impolite to say no.

[Nikos]

Well, if most of that territory is Basque, and the people living in that territory have a referendum and want to be independent, then it would be rather impolite to say no.

Impolite yes, but I really don't think France and Spain care about being polite when their territory is at stake!

[Heinz Guderian]

Impolite yes, but I really don't think France and Spain care about being polite when their territory is at stake!

Spain already grants a decent amount of leeway to the Catalonians and Navarans.This was only a recent development since Spain has relaxed since Franco's demise. Castille will always be the major playa. The ETA are going about it the wrong way, they need to start canvassing the local population and make it a popular peaceful movement. Ask for a referendum and allow in UN observers. If the majority (that figure could be arbitary - i dont know what someone would consider a majority to be) want independence then they should get it.

If the central government say no, then take part in protests and strikes, as well petitioning international organisations. If the government responds heavy handidly, its time to light some fires.

Remember, the back of the turrett of an Abrams houses the ammo store. Keep aiming at that and you're gonna get a cook off.

[Каие]

I've always believed the Basque should be independent. Should have happened decades ago. Not that I support their methods... it could be sorted out through negotiation, they are more like the IRA then Al Qaeda cells.

[Nikos]

I've always believed the Basque should be independent. Should have happened decades ago. Not that I support their methods... it could be sorted out through negotiation, they are more like the IRA then Al Qaeda cells.

Yes, I am reminded of the IRA when I look at the ETA's methods. Perhaps if they become peaceful they could get their wish of independence, if it was voted on in a referendum of course.

[Каие]

Yeah, a referendum is a given.

[Erik]

Yeah, a referendum is a given.

I think the problem is:
Many non-Basques also live in the Basque country now.
I've heard basques are actually a minority in the Spanish basque country now.

So if most Basques want separation, they would likely still loose a referendum.

On the other hand: most Basques probably don't want separation anyways.

[Nikos]

I think the problem is:
Many non-Basques also live in the Basque country now.
I've heard basques are actually a minority in the Spanish basque country now.

So if most Basques want separation, they would likely still loose a referendum.

On the other hand: most Basques probably don't want separation anyways.

It would be difficult for such a country to support itself economically if it were to be created as well.

[Heinz Guderian]

It would be difficult for such a country to support itself economically if it were to be created as well.

Andorra, Monaco, Leichtenstein, Luxembourg et al are probably the best places to live in the world.

[Nikos]

Andorra, Monaco, Leichtenstein, Luxembourg et al are probably the best places to live in the world.

What's your point? I'm not saying it would be hard to support because it is small, it just has no infrastructure (that I'm aware of anyway) able to support the running of a country. Where would the money come from?

[Erik]

It would be difficult for such a country to support itself economically if it were to be created as well.

That's there problem, of course.
Being part of the EU, it would probably not make such a big difference.
But this is also why I strongly doubt many Basques would actually want full independence, if it were offered to them.

[Heinz Guderian]

That's there problem, of course.
Being part of the EU, it would probably not make such a big difference.
But this is also why I strongly doubt many Basques would actually want full independence, if it were offered to them.

Why not? If i could be a citizen of a middle class left leaning country where the only requirment was a degree with honours, and hate for things like Big Brother and Pop Idol, i would want to be independent. Wouldnt matter what the colour of your skin was, as long as you had a Hybrid car, or even a Saab, you could settle. We'd ship in manual labour from Liverpool and Manchester. Tag those ****ers so we can keep track of them.

What's your point? I'm not saying it would be hard to support because it is small, it just has no infrastructure (that I'm aware of anyway) able to support the running of a country. Where would the money come from?

Already has all of that. It would probably be on par with Portugal economically.

[Trey]

Was it Muslims?

[ShADoW]

Was it Muslims?

The answers shocking.