by Jim Plautz
Anton’s call made Agbu realize how lucky he was. He had been stupid to let the man see his face and hear his voice. Fortunately, Peterson was dead and would not identify him. Agbu had stayed away from the cabin where they kept the hostage so police could not tie him to the crime scene. Fingerprints found in Anton’s van or home could be easily explained. They were brothers, and yes he had visited Anton frequently, but no, he knew nothing about any kidnapping. He had taken his brother’s word that there were no video cameras or security guards, but next time he would trust no one and verify everything himself. It was the only way to survive.
Saying yes to the ETA was not a difficult decision. Both his father and mother had been leaders in the military wing of the ETA and had given their lives to the cause. Anton and Raul followed in their father’s footsteps and joined the fight for Basque Independence. Agbu would learn from their mistakes and lead the Basque in a new direction.
The ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), meaning “Basque Fatherland and Liberty,” is a loosely knit organization of Basque separatists located on both sides of Spain’s border with France. Their primary objectives are autonomy from Spain and France, with Euskara as the compulsory language. College student activists from Bizkaia and Gipuzkao founded the ETA in 1959. Disappointed with the slow progress made by the PNV, the mainstream Basque political party, they first obtained notoriety by bombing government and military targets in Bilbao and Vitoria, the capital of the Basque homeland.
In 1961 the ETA went too far when they attempted to derail a military train carrying war veterans to Donostia to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War. The resultant uproar resulted in roadblocks, house searches and the widespread use of torture to find the ETA members responsible for this heinous act. Many ETA members were forced into exile abroad, but many other activists joined the struggle for Basque independence.
These events were a harbinger of the ETA’s future for next 45 years. The ETA enjoyed periods of growth followed by severe crackdowns by authorities when their actions upset the sensibilities of the nation. In 1997 for example, six million Spanish people took to the streets to condemn ETA violence following the brutal kidnapping and murder of a conservative, Basque politician. The resultant cease-fire ended in 1999 when the ETA became disenchanted with the slow progress being made towards Basque Independence.
This is not to say that the Basque have not made progress in their quest for independence. When General Franco died in 1976 and democracy was restored in Spain, many exiles were allowed to return. The Basque region was granted considerable autonomy including its own parliament and control over local issues such as education and taxes. Euskara is now taught in all Basque schools in Northern Spain.
The Basque Country currently recognized by Spain consists of three provinces in Northern Spain with a population of 2.3 million people. The Basque’s would like to add a 4th province, Navarre, and three departments in Southwest France to “The Basque Country.” The ETA is now at a low point. Some estimate that there are no more that twenty hard-core activists and several hundred supporters, organized in small, loosely coordinated cells.
The Basque heritage and language, Euskara, trace back centuries to the Stone Age and has survived countless wars and invasions. They have never had their own homeland, but remarkably, their culture has survived.
Ken and I were enjoying a casual dinner in Mexico City and discussing progress on the new Sports arena. They had spent the day meeting with Marco and his project managers, getting a first-hand look at the job site. “Ken, everything is going so well it scares me a little. We are ahead of schedule. Sven came through with the funding and Marco has a good handle on day-to-day operations.”
“You’re right, Marco and his team really know their business. It’s only been six months and they have completed the roads and infrastructure. Next week they start pouring the footings. Surprisingly, the terrorists are even leaving us alone. Other than a few peaceful demonstrations, everything’s been quiet.”
Too quiet, I thought.
“We need to start looking for other projects; it doesn’t look like we’re needed here. Things here are going too well.”
“Don’t jinx us, Ken.”
PART TWO
The Roads to Saddlebrook
Chapter 10
The Florida Juniors