Sir, - How surprising - in the best sense of the word - to read Paddy Woodworth's article on ETA and the Basque country. As a Basque living abroad I have grown sick and tired of simplistic approaches to the topic that usually remind me more of a John Wayne movie (goodies on white horses and baddies on black ones) and reflect no insight into the problem. This was not at all the case with Mr Woodworth's article.
For most Basques, the Spanish transition to democracy was for many years nothing else than an endless succession of demonstrations (always violently repressed) asking only for what other areas in Spain had already achieved (legal recognition of the flag, language, cultural expression, etc.) and the frustration of getting nowhere.
What we are suffering now in Basque country and in the whole of spain are the remnants of an early, very poorly managed "democratic" policy regarding the Basque country; a very well-organised "brainwashing" policy by ETA and its supporters; and the feeling of isolation from the rest of the peninsula created by Spain's misconceptions and, in many cases, complete ignorance of the real facts.
I, and many Basques like me, do not consider the armed struggle a legitimate way of moving forward. However, a much more in-depth analysis of the basis behind the armed struggle is required if Spain really wishes to put an end to the present situation. The events that took place in Spain after Miguel Angel Blanco's execution brought back a hope of solidarity and understanding that I never thought I would experience in my lifetime. - Yours, etc., MERTXE BERGARA,
Grosvenor Square,
Dublin 6.