Spain’s Basque country inches closer to a referendum on independence
Spain's Basque parliament authorized on Friday a controversial referendum on the region's self- determination, a move dismissed by Madrid as a step towards secession.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, June 30, 2008
Voters in the northern region of 2.1 million residents would be asked whether they would like to see a negotiated end to the violence of ETA, which has killed more than 800 people, according to the plan.
They would also be asked whether they would approve of talks between the Basque political parties on the region's right to decide its own future. The agreement reached by the parties would be submitted to a referendum by the end of 2010.
Madrid views the plan as secessionist and has vowed to prevent it in the courts.
Spain rejects any discussion on independence, but has expressed willingness to enlarge the Basque region's autonomy.
Following Pristina's unilateral seceession in February, the autonomous government in the Basque country has said "Kosovo's example should be followed", while ETA stressed that the example of Kosovo showed that its fight was "no utopia".
Spain has refused to recognize Kosovo's secession, arguing it was a serious breach of international law.
