Terrorism Politics of Spain

graffiti in pasaia (2003). eta, people on left, , batasuna using several nationalist symbols asking independence!

the government of spain has been involved in long-running campaign against basque fatherland , liberty (eta), armed secessionist organization founded in 1959 in opposition franco , dedicated promoting basque independence through violent means, though violence not part of method. consider guerrilla organization considered internationally terrorist organisation. although government of basque country not condone kind of violence, different approaches separatist movement source of tension between central , basque governments.

initially eta targeted spanish security forces, military personnel , spanish government officials. security forces , prominent politicians improved own security, eta increasingly focused attacks on tourist seasons (scaring tourists seen way of putting pressure on government, given sector s importance economy) , local government officials in basque country. group carried out numerous bombings against spanish government facilities , economic targets, including car bomb assassination attempt on then-opposition leader aznar in 1995, in armored car destroyed unhurt. spanish government attributes on 800 deaths eta during campaign of terrorism.

on 17 may 2005, parties in congress of deputies, except pp, passed government s motion giving approval beginning of peace talks eta, without making political concessions , requirement give weapons. psoe, ciu, erc, pnv, iu-icv, cc , mixed group —bng, cha, ea , nb— supported total of 192 votes, while 147 pp parliamentarians objected. eta declared permanent cease-fire came force on 24 march 2006 , broken barajas t4 international airport bombings on 30 december 2006. in years leading permanent cease-fire, government had had more success in controlling eta, due in part increased security cooperation french authorities.

spain has contended marxist resistance group, commonly known grapo. grapo (revolutionary group of october 1st) urban guerrilla group, founded in vigo, galicia; seeks overthrow spanish government , establish marxist–leninist state. opposes spanish participation in nato , u.s. presence in spain , has long history of assassinations, bombings, bank robberies , kidnappings against spanish interests during 1970s , 1980s.

in june 2000 communiqué following explosions of 2 small devices in barcelona, grapo claimed responsibility several attacks throughout spain during past year. these attacks included 2 failed armored car robberies, 1 in 2 security officers died, , 4 bombings of political party offices during 1999-2000 election campaign. in 2002, spanish authorities successful in hampering organization s activities through sweeping arrests, including of group s leadership. grapo not capable of maintaining degree of operational capability once enjoyed. members of groups either in jail or abroad.