Welcome to the tuSPAIN weekly review of the Spanish media. Cristina Marquez Arroyo de Camihort has selected a wide range of articles covering general news about Spain, politics, business and culture. We also invite you to view the latest news from Spain (in Spanish) at the web sites of El Pais, El Mundo, ABC and El Periodico

NEWS REVIEW
February 17 - 25, 1997

• Spain blocks South Africa proposal
• Roldan accuses Gonzalez
• Soccer Violence
• Illegal vaccines
• Government rejects meeting with terrorists
  
• Free TV football
• Truck traffic returns to normal
• King meets Mubarak
• US questions Cuban investments
• Nation of nations
• Spaniards come under attack in Bosnia
• Political asylum
• Government - ETA dialogue..

_{Government - ETA dialogue..}

The government has stated that it would be a "serious mistake" to accept any type of dialogue with ETA, especially now that the terrorist group is in on a attacking offensive. They also turned down the decision from the National Basque Parties (PNV), EA and United Left (IU) on joining forces with Herri Batasuna and accepting to negotiate benefits for the Etarrean prisoners with the leader of the group, Juan Lorenzo Lasa Mitxelena, aka Txikierdi, who is serving a sentence of 200 years. The Correctional Facilities Centre has not decided yet if an interview with these groups will be authorised. Meanwhile, the Association of Terrorism Victims (AVT) has demanded from the political parties to call off the Ajuria Enea Agreement and the transferring of the debate on terrorism issues to the Parliament. In their opinion, the Agreement is only a "pantomime" and a "false panacea" considering that since its establishment, on January 12, 1988, ETA has assassinated 188 people and kidnapped other six, two of each are still in captivity.

Political asylum

Several countries have failed to honour their pledges and now oppose the elimination of asylum for EU Citizens. Several governments of the European Union have reversed the decision reached at Dublin denying now the possibility of breaking off the asylum rights for citizens of the EU. This change of mind is based on the reports submitted by ACNUR and Amnesty International, which favour the terrorists who would be the only ones to benefit from this decision. This breach of the Dublin Agreement will force Spain to veto the Maastricht reform as a whole.

Spaniards come under attack in Bosnia

NATO suffered its first attack with the launching of grenades against a Spanish armoured vehicle in Bosnia. The vehicle, with its crew of eight men, was the target of a grenade attack when it was patrolling the Plaza Espaņa area in Mostar last Friday morning. Although it was hit by one of the shells on the vehicle's engine, it continued running and avoided the further grenades. None of the crew members were hurt. It's the first attack against NATO forces since their deployment in Bosnia, and it's origin is still unknown, although a spokesmen for the Southeast Division implied that the attack was perpetrated by Croats, other sources doubt this hypothesis.

Nation of nations

Manuel Jimenez de Parga has vindicated the meaning of the term "Spain" stating that talking about a "Nation of nations" is plain heresy. During a conference in Granada, the magistrate indicated that the use of the "Spanish State" euphemism or the affirmation that Spain is a "Nation of nations" is a scheme designed to manipulate the language and blur the outlines of the constitutional order. The University Professor defended the criteria of "Spain's best interest" as the foundation of all Country planning.

US questions Cuban investments

The Government of the US has requested information from five Spanish companies operating in Cuba. The US State Department has demanded clarification from more than twenty European enterprises with investments in Cuba, to verify if they are "trading" goods illegitimately expropriated by Fidel Castro. The list of companies includes Sol Melia, BBV, Iberia Travel, Iberia Airlines and Tabacalera.

King meets Mubarak

His Majesty, King Juan Carlos discussed the Middle East peace process with Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president during a four day visit to Cairo during last week. The king stressed the role of Spain and the European Union in the support of Arab-Israeli peace talks. Juan Carlos stated that the EU co-ordinator for the peace process is a Spanish diplomat. He also inaugurated a library at the Spanish Cultural Centre and signed a trade agreement during the visit, which will encourage investments among Mediterranean Countries.

Spain blocks South Africa proposal

Spain has blocked the proposal presented to allow South Africa to become a partial member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group (ACP) of the European Union. Abel Matutes, the Spanish foreign minister, stated that the Government in Madrid would like to see more progress on the relations between the Union and Pretoria before approving South Africa's partial inclusion in the Lome Convention. Spain is seeking a commitment from Pretoria for a separate fishing agreement with the EU and also dislikes the planned import of South African wines and spirits on the group of 15 nation's market. The European Commission has approved a timetable for a later meeting in order to discuss bilateral trade negotiations and the eligibility of South Africa to qualify for European Development Fund (FDE) preferential loans.

Roldan accuses Gonzalez

Luis Roldan, former Spain's Civil Guard chief, has reaffirmed that the previous Socialist administration set and covered up a "dirty war" against the Basque terrorist group ETA during the 1980s. Roldan, who fled the country in 1994 after being charged with numerous financial corruption charges, stated that Felipe Gonzalez, the former Socialist President of the Government "knew everything about the death squads known as Anti-terrorist Liberation Groups (GAL) when they were operational. He also added that "knowing all the issues, he (Gonzalez) decided to cover them up". Roldan is presently preparing himself for his trial, as he will have to appear in front of the Supreme Court during May, facing embezzlement charges.
Felipe Gonzalez has been spared of any charges being brought against him after the Supreme Court decided there was not enough evidence to do so in relation with his participation and knowledge of any GAL activities. The Socialist Party dismissed Roldan's accusations as a pre-trial tactic in order to "establish a line of defence".

Soccer Violence

During last Sunday's first division match between Sevilla and Logrones, a Spanish soccer fan hit a referee with a red can as a response to what he considered an "unfair decision". Two out of the eleven Sevilla's players were kicked during the match, and the team lost 4-1. The Police had to intervene to prevent the crowd throwing objects at the referee and linesmen and to prevent a massive attack against the presidential box.

Illegal vaccines

The Spanish Department of Health is investigating the illegal distribution from Andorra of a batch of vaccines against Meningitis Type C. There are two pharmacies in the Principality which have distributed about thirty vaccines throughout the Community of Madrid, using the services of private couriers. The Department of Health is tracking down the facts, which constitute a double illicit trade: on one side, the medicines are coming from a country that is not a member of the EU, on the other, it is an illegal procedure not covered by the Patents Law.

Government rejects meeting with terrorists

Francisco Alvarez Cascos, the First vice-president of the Government, stated yesterday that the government will reject any agreement to meet with Juan Lorenzo Lasa Mitxelena, alias Txikierdi. The initiative was presented by the National Basque Party (PNV), with the purpose of opening a dialogue with the etarrean prisoner in his character of spokesman of the terrorist organisation. Meanwhile, the Higher Commissioner of the UN for Refugees (ACNUR), Amnesty International and other humanitarian organisations are asking the European Union to reject the proposal by Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish Prime Minister, which will eliminate political asylum for citizens of the Union.

Free TV football

The Government has accepted an independent commission to decide on what football matches will be broadcast free. Francisco Alvarez Cascos, first Vice-President of the Government, stated that the administration is ready to negotiate with their partners in the Parliament in order to draft a list of sporting events of "general interest", which will have to be broadcasted live and free of charge throughout the Spanish territory. The statement was made after the adjournment of the Parliamentary Session in which the Bill for the regulation of sports broadcasting, generally known as Football Bill was approved.

Truck traffic returns to normal

Several automobile manufacturers, including Ford, Opel, Volkswagen, Mercedes and Fiat have been forced to fly in parts by plane because of the strike of truck drivers in Spain. However, the government resumed negotiations with the unions on Monday, and traffic was returning to normal with the help of security forces. Rafael Arias Salgado, the Aznar administration's Development Minister, clearly stated that the strike is inflicting "serious damage" on the Spanish economy. Meanwhile, FEDETRANS, the union responsible for the strike, issued a statement on Thursday denying any link to Herri Batasuna (HB), the political wing of the Basque terrorist group ETA, responsible for a string of deadly attacks during the last two weeks.