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Basque Studies Program Newsletter · Issue
53, 1996
The International Committee for
the Basque Peace Process
On November 14, 1995, in Donostia, Jonan Fernandez,
president of the peace movement Elkarri, and William A.
Douglass, coordinator of the Basque Studies Program of the
University of Nevada, Reno, signed an agreement creating The
International Committee for the Basque Peace Process
(ICBPP). Formation of ICBPP is an important step in a
process which began in December of 1994 when the Basque
Studies Program approached the Carter Center in Atlanta,
Georgia to ascertain its possible interest in serving as a
mediator should there be negotiations among the parties to
the Basque conflict (the Spanish and Basque governments,
ETA, and the several political parties). At present the
Carter Center has the matter under serious advisement. Given
its extensive track record in dispute resolution and its
excellent international reputation, the Carter Center is an
obvious and excellent choice as mediator. If, for whatever
reason, the Carter Center is unable to assume this role, the
ICBPP has other alternatives under consideration. We
envision a two-year effort. If, after that time, there is no
discernible movement towards peaceful resolution of the
Basque conflict, the ICBPP will terminate its
efforts.
The International Committee for the Basque Peace
Process is a coalition of persons and organizations with an
interest in finding a negotiated solution to the political
violence that has afflicted the Basque Country for the past
three decades. In recent years there has been both a
discernible weariness with the violent impasse and a growing
desire for peace among the parties to the conflict. It is
also quite evident that several of the world’s
seemingly intractable political conflicts (Northern Ireland,
the Middle East, Haiti, Bosnia, El Salvador, South Africa)
have been resolved or improved through negotiations, in some
cases conducted under the aegis of international mediators.
The obvious question from a Basque perspective then becomes
“If there why not here?” It is the prime purpose
of the ICBPP to explore the possibility of converting this
question into a genuine search for a negotiated peace
settlement to the Basque conflict.
The International Committee for the Basque Peace
Process is comprised of a working group consisting of two
representatives from Elkarri and two from the Basque Studies
Program who agree to work together to bring the Basque
conflict to the attention of the world community as well as
to create the opportunity for the parties to the conflict to
meet and negotiate its possible resolution. It is the firm
belief of the ICBPP that only the parties themselves are
capable of effecting a lasting peaceful outcome. It is also
our belief that meaningful negotiations can only transpire
if all of the parties to the conflict are represented at the
table. It is therefore the mission of the ICBPP to create a
climate and possibly provide a venue for peace negotiations.
The ICBPP does not itself have an agenda for such
negotiations and maintains strict neutrality with respect to
all of the parties to the conflict and their individual
agendas. The ICBPP does, however, endorse the philosophical
position of Elkarri (as outlined below) with respect to the
Basque conflict.
The agreement between the Basque Studies Program and
Elkarri invites other organizations to become associate
members of the ICBPP. An associate member is supportive of
the general goals of the committee but is not necessarily
bound by its specific actions. We are pleased to announce
that the first associate member is the Society of Basque
Studies in America (José Ramón
Cengotitabengoa, president). Any apolitical Basque
organization (social club, federation, etc.) is welcome to
become an associate member in this common humanitarian
effort.
What is Elkarri?
In recent years there have been several attempts to organize
peace movements within the Basque Country. Elkarri is
arguably the largest and most successful to date. It
currently has 100 local chapters with a total of 1200
members who meet weekly to discuss ways of furthering the
peace process. Elkarri is funded by its 2,500 individual
sponsors who assess themselves 1300 pesetas ($11) monthly to
support the organization. While every Elkarri activist and
sponsor has his/her own personal views (ranging across the
entire political spectrum) as members of Elkarri they are
supporters of an apolitical, humanitarian peace movement.
Elkarri receives no funding from either the Spanish or
Basque governments.
Recent accomplishments of Elkarri include its
sponsorship of a major peace conference in the City of Bilbo
in the spring of 1995 attended by representatives of five
political parties--all of whom agreed upon the need for
peace negotiations. Elkarri also collected 251,253
signatures on a petition favoring dialogue, nonviolence and
accord as the means of resolving political conflict in the
Basque Country.
Elkarri has devised a personal contract which it
requests those favoring peace to sign. We reproduce it here
and, should you so desire, request that you sign it and
return it to the ICBPP.
Finally, the ICBPP accepts donations to help with the
expenses of the peace initiative. Elkarri is itself
hard-pressed to meet its financial needs as it expands its
activities and establishes new chapters throughout the
Basque Country. The activities of the ICBPP will also entail
expenses. Should negotiations begin at a venue outside the
Basque Country there will be additional financial
requirements. It is one of the responsibilities of the ICBPP
to identify foundations with an interest in conflict
resolution, and then to make application for grants to
support the costs of the peace negotiations should they
transpire. In the interim, however, it is necessary for the
ICBPP to invite financial support from interested
individuals. If you would like to contribute to this
initiative checks should be made payable to: International
Committee for the Basque Peace Process. The address is:
ICBPP
Basque Studies Program
University of Nevada
Reno, NV 89557-0012
Contract of Elkarri’s Willingness for
Peace
I declare:
1. my willingness to promote democratic solutions to the
problems that Basque society is facing. In consequence:
2. my willingness to put an end to all violence.
3. my willingness to promote negotiated solutions and to
create and consolidate social and political leeway for
understanding and detente.
4. my willingness to explore political and juridical avenues
which permit the defense and the achievement of any
political objective by democratic means.
5. my willingness to accept the majority decision of the
citizens of the Basque Country in the shaping of their
future.
6. my willingness to explore formulas for greater consensus
in institutional, social, economic and political relations
between Navarre, the Basque Autonomous Community and
Iparralde, and to respect the democratic decision of the
citizens of each of these regions.
7. my willingness to deepen my commitment to individual and
collective human rights.
8. my willingness to promote means of humanely alleviating
the most painful consequences of the Basque
conflict.
[Signature] [Name,
address]
Should you be unwilling at this time to sign
Elkarri’s contract, but remain interested in the
progress of the peace efforts please fill out the following
information and return it to the ICBPP:
Yes, I wish to be kept informed of the activities of
the International Committee for the Basque Peace
Process.
Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
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