|
|
|
| |
| |
Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
September 25, 2007
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| July 19, 2007 |
A Farewell to Arms? Iñigo Arbiol Oñate on the hopes of ending Basque separatist violence |
|
| |
 |
| Iñigo Arbiol Oñate introduced participants to the Basque region in northern Spain |
With the global “War on Terror” focusing attention on Afghanistan and Iraq, Spain is unlikely to be the first place that comes to mind as a nation with terrorist troubles. However, over the past four decades some 800 lives have been lost in an ongoing fight for independence within the state. In the Basque Country which borders France, an ancient culture has long sought freedom from the power of Madrid. To give participants an insight into the complex development of this conflict, Iñigo Arbiol Oñate, a peace mediation worker and of Basque blood himself, sailed with the Peace Boat as it rounded Western Europe, heading for Bilbao. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
| Basque nationalism can be traced back to the loss of the region’s self control |
Mr. Arbiol was quick to offer participants a flavour of his own culture, giving the name of the region in its unique native tongue. Euskadi, he taught his audience, is the local name for the Land of the Basques. But in this land, there has not always been violence, as Iñigo showed by looking back at Basque people’s history. As far back as the Fifteenth Century, a peaceful way of life was enjoyed, protected by its own set of progressive laws, known as the Fueros. Promising equality for all its citizens, the laws also granted women the right to participate in public life, long before other European nations. By 1876 this self-rule and the Fueros were abolished as Spain asserted direct control. Facing the loss of its culture and identity, a Basque national movement began to grow. |
| |
 |
| Iñigo explored the rise of ETA with participants |
Yet there was worse to come, warned Mr. Arbiol. Following the Spanish Civil War, the Basques soon felt the persecution of its enemy and new dictator, Franco. Their own language was forbidden in Bilbao. Many fled as refugees. The Basque Government itself was forced into exile. In this climate of oppression, one group turned to arms, and so ETA – Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (Basque Country and Freedom) – was born in 1959. At first ETA had the support of many Basque people, who saw their efforts of political violence as freedom-fighting. But as democracy was restored, the killing continued over the years, targeting politicians, journalists, soldiers, judges, academics – even innocent tourists. In the eyes of many, ETA “turned from liberation group to terrorist group”, he noted. |
| |
 |
| The workshop highlighted the need for discussion between conflicting parties |
Beyond the history, Mr. Arbiol helped everyone think about the conflict through the perspective of those involved with a lively, interactive workshop. Dividing the participants into three groups of the Government, a Basque Country seeking independence and the region of Catalonia also hoping for greater autonomy, each had to find a way to achieve their conflicting desires. How could everyone get what they wanted? After much discussion within the groups, participants soon realised that the priority had to be communication between them. And this goes for all levels of conflict, between regions and states down to people themselves. |
| |
 |
| Mr.Oñate also drew on his peace building experience in the Balkans |
This is what Iñigo learnt as a peace mediator after the war in the Balkans, particularly in Kosovo where painful divisions remained between Albanian and Serb communities. “When there is conflict like this, everyone’s social networks are broken. You need to start by rebuilding these” understands Iñigo. And to do that, you must first listen to the people. “We say ‘Small mouth. Big ears’” he jokes. He continues to smile as he recalls evenings spent smoking and drinking fiery homebrew as he mixed with local families and heard the concerns of both sides. From simply listening, Iñigo could spot the opportunities to increase the interaction of the divided neighbours. Learning that there was no bus service in the area they were working, his team helped set one up. For the residents it was a way to go about their daily lives, just visiting the market perhaps, but for Iñigo it was a chance to bring them together through the shared space of the bus and slowly get them talking once again. |
| |
 |
| Together the participants looked at how to foster communication that helps ease tensions |
Similarly, in the Basque Country, increasing dialogue between its people and the Government has helped eased tensions over the years. One recent opinion poll showed 87 per cent of Basque people believe the situation can be resolved peacefully. Support for ETA has also plummeted, highlighted in 1997 when 550,000 people took to the streets of Bilbao to protest against its kidnapping of another local politician. With this changing mood, a ceasefire with ETA was signed in March last year, offering real hope for a permanent end to the violence. Sadly, this ended on June 5, 2007 as hardliners within ETA took hold. Yet without popular backing and the wider will for peace against them, there is still some hope that ETA will ultimately put down its arms. |
| |
 |
| Getting into the spirit of Peace Boat, Iñigo hosted an evening of Spanish dancing and music |
This is certainly the wish of Iñigo. Born in the Basque Country, he feels strongly about the suppression of the region although he has never worked in peace building there. “I know I am too close to it personally” he says. Instead, he has used his skills and easy-going manner to engage people across the globe to create peace, including on the ship. Never afraid to get involved with onboard events, Iñigo the entertainer led an evening of Spanish culture and fun amid his series of serious lectures. “I enjoy singing ‘La Bamba’ with participants then discussing the conflicts of Spain in the bar” he reflects. “For me, this is the magic of Peace Boat.” |
| |
|
|
|
