DATE=1/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225046
TITLE=SPAIN / TERROR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GIL CARBAJAL
DATELINE=MADRID
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN THE BASQUE REGION OF SPAIN, ANOTHER CITY COUNCILMAN
HAS BEEN KILLED AFTER A BOMB PLACED IN HIS CAR EXPLODED.
FRIDAY'S MURDER APPEARS TO BE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF TERRORIST
ATTACKS AGAINST REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RULING POPULAR PARTY IN
THE BASQUE COUNTRY. REPORTER GIL CARBAJAL IN MADRID SAYS
AUTHORITIES SUSPECT THE PRO-INDEPENDENCE ORGANIZATION "ETA."
TEXT: THE 35-YEAR-OLD CITY COUNCILMAN FOR THE BASQUE TOWN OF
ZARAUZ, JOSE IGNACIO IRURETAGOYENA, WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING TO
HIS FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS. THE FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN, HE WAS A
NATIVE BASQUE SPEAKER, WELL-LIKED AND KNOWN FOR BEING A HARD
WORKER. A BOMB PLACED UNDER THE COUNCILMAN'S CAR SEAT WENT OFF
AFTER HE HAD TRAVELED ONLY A KILOMETER FROM HOME AND HAD REACHED
AN INTERSECTION NEAR A SCHOOL.
DESPITE RECOMMENDATIONS BY OFFICIALS OF SPAIN'S RULING "POPULAR
PARTY," MR. IRURETAGOYENA REFUSED BODYGUARD PROTECTION AND HAD
NOT ENROLLED IN A SPECIAL ANTI-TERRORIST COURSE OFFERED TO THE
MORE THAN 180 "POPULAR PARTY" OFFICIALS SERVICE OFFICE IN THE
BASQUE COUNTRY.
ON FRIDAY MORNING, ZARAUZ'S TOWN COUNCIL CONDEMNED THE MURDER.
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ETA'S POLITICAL WING OFFERED CONDOLENCES
TO THE DEAD COUNCILMAN'S FAMILY. BUT AS THEY LEFT THE TOWN HALL,
THEY WERE HECKLED BY ANGRY FELLOW TOWNSMEN WHO CALLED THEM
MURDERERS.
//REST OPT// MR. IRURETAGOYENA IS THE FOURTH "POPULAR PARTY"
COUNCILMAN TO BE KILLED IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY SINCE MARCH 1995.
JUST LAST MONTH, ETA CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER OF A
64-YEAR-OLD COUNCILMAN FROM THE TOWN OF RENTERIA. LAST SUMMER,
ANOTHER COUNCILMAN WAS KILLED AFTER A 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM EXPIRED,
DEMANDING THAT ETA PRISONERS BE MOVED TO FACILITIES WITHIN OR
NEAR THE BASQUE COUNTRY.
DURING THE RECENT HOLIDAY SEASON THAT ENDED IN SPAIN ON TUESDAY,
PRO-ETA YOUTH GANGS CARRIED OUT VARIOUS ACTS OF VANDALISM. THIS
PAST WEEK ALONE, THEY SET ABLAZE A BASQUE POLICEMAN'S CAR.
THEY'RE ALSO ACCUSED OF BURNING THE STORE OF A POPULAR PARTY
COUNCILMAN FROM THE BASQUE TOWN OF SANTURCE, AND THE CITY HALL OF
LEGAZPIA.
ACCORDING TO A CIVIL GUARD REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE NEWSPAPER "EL
MUNDO," ETA'S UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE BOTH IN SPAIN AND FRANCE
CONTINUES LARGELY INTACT DESPITE NUMEROUS ARRESTS DURING THE
PAST YEAR. IT STILL POSSESSES THE ECONOMIC MEANS, THE PERSONNEL
AND WEAPONS TO ATTACK EVEN HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE REPORT
ALSO CRITICIZES THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE COOPERATION ON THE PART OF
FRENCH SECURITY OFFICIALS, THEREBY ENABLING ETA TO MAINTAIN ITS
OPERATIONAL BASES IN FRANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/GC/PCF
09-Jan-98 1:33 PM EST (1833 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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