ETA bomb in Denia, Costa Blanca

A bomb planted in a hotel in Denia by the Basque terrorist group ETA exploded yesterday afternoon. Although police had time to evacuate the building before the explosion, nine British tourist were slightly injured and 5 were taken to hospital although by late evening yesterday all had been discharged. Several people suffered symptoms related to panic attacks and others complained of ear-ache.

170 of the 215 tourists staying at the hotel, most of them British, were taken to other hotels in nearby Benidorm where they are expected to continue their holiday.

The bomb was placed inside a rucksack on a stairway and discovered by a hotel employee. A spokesman for ETA rang the Bilbao emergency services 40 minutes before the bomb was due to explode to inform them of the existence of a bomb in Hotel Port, Denia.

In recent years the Costa Blanca has been the objective of several acts of terrorism carried out by ETA as part of its campaign to damage the Spanish tourist industry. This particular attack was carried out just two days before the leader of the PNV Basque separatist party is due to appear before Spain's national parliament in Madrid to explain the "Plan Ibarretxe".

See photo of damage caused by bomb in Denia.

Related articles:

• ETA's letter to Zapatero
• Basque nationalism
• Spanish Basque terrorist group ETA leaders arrested in France
• ETA campaign against tourist targets

Earthquake in Murcia

The Region of Murcia suffered a small earthquake yesterday, 4.6 on the Richter scale. 22 families from the villages of Zarcilla de Ramos and La Paca have had to leave their homes because of damage caused by the earth tremors which were felt by people in varios provinces in southern Spain, Almería, Jaén, Granada, Albacete and Ciudad Real. In Zarcilla de Ramos over 200 houses have been damaged by the earthquake. Nobody was injured.

According to the Worldwide Earthquake Register of the University of Edinburgh:

"An earthquake is a series of shock waves generated following the brittle failure of rocks within the earth's crust or upper mantle as a result of a build up of stress. Failure occurs at a point or in a fairly small zone (known as the focus) with the epicentre being the point on the earth' surface directly above this focus. However, once failure has occured, movement may persist along a zone of weakness (known as a fault) for a considerable distance (occasionally as much as 1000 Km).

Many earthquakes occur each year, on average greater than 800,000, but most are small and not felt humans. A severe earthquake, with a magnitude of greater than 8.0, can be expected every 8 to 10 years. But a significant number of smaller earthquakes, which are still capable of destruction, occur each year".

Winter temperatures in Spain

This week is proving to be the coldest in Spain for the past 20 years. Freezing temperatures and heavy snow all over the Spanish peninsula have meant that people in coastal Mediterranean areas are experiencing the kind of Winter weather more associated with Northern and Central Spain. It snowed on the beaches of Denia, Javea and Benissa in the province of Alicante yesterday, and temperatures dropped to minus 1.5 degrees in Alicante itself. It has also snowed further south on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Cálida. Teruel was the coldest town in Spain last night, with minus 15 degrees.

Emergency services in the regions of Murcia, Valencia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Castilla y León, Castilla de la Mancha, Navarra, La Rioja, Aragón and the Balearic Islands are on alert today because of the possibility of further heavy snowfall. Most major roads which were shut down earlier this week because of snow or severe black ice have been re-opened, with the exception of the N120 and the N627, but many minor roads, especially in mountainous areas, remain closed.

Meanwhile one woman in La Rioja had to give birth in a car aided by her husband two days ago, when their vehicle got stuck in the snow just as they were on their way to hospital. The birth was successful, if a little cramped, and as soon as it was over the husband rang emergency services. A snowplough and police car were sent to the scene, and the mother and her perfectly healthy little baby boy were taken to the nearest hospital to recover.

Radio Liberty

The Spanish government has confirmed that this year it will begin to dismantle the huge (and quite monstrous) Radio Liberty radio towers and antennae which for the past 50 years have blotted the otherwise stunningly beautiful Costa Brava landscape.

In the 1950s during the first years of the Franco dictatorship, the US government was given permission to build the radio station which was designed by the CIA to broadcast anti-communist messages to citizens in the Soviet Union and other Eastern European communist states. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the sea and its distance from surrounding mountains.

The CIA first called its radio station American Committee for Liberation from Bolchevism, and the first programmes were broadcast in 1958. Once communism was defeated and the Cold War was over, the radio no longer fulfilled its former purpose, and in 2001 the American government informed the Spanish government of its decision to close down the radio channel because of "the changes in the political climate". Apparantly, although Boris Yeltsin had no objection to the radio programmes during his presidency, Vladimir Putin disapproved of the stance taken by Radio Liberty presenters with regard to Russian handling of the crisis in Chechenia, and he put in a request with the US government for the station to cease broadcasting it's "propeganda".

The Spanish government intends to convert the area presently dominated by the enormous structures into a green belt area. The cost of dismantling the radio antennae is estimated at 3.700.000 Euros. The radio plant is divided into 4 sections. Group A, built in 1958, with three towers measuring 25 metres, 75 metres and 75 metres respectively, Group B with towers measuring 73m, 135m and 136 m respectively, Group C identical to Group A and Group D which has 3 antennae.

Spanish film industry

The Spanish film industry lost three million spectators in 2004 according to figures released by the Spanish Academy of Arts and Cinema yesterday.

Although the overall number of cinema goers rose last year from 137 million in 2003 to 140 million in 2004, the spectators chose to see films made in Hollywood rather than films produced by the Spanish films industry. The number of spectators who went to see a US produced film rose by 6 million (from 115 million to 121 million), whereas the number of film goers who chose to see a Spanish film fell from 20.7 million to 17.7.

The chairwoman of the Spanish Film Academy put the disappointing figures down to the difficulty Spanish producers have competing with the kind budget enjoyed by Hollywood productions, and she denied that it was an indication that the quality of Spanish cinema, which has undergone something of a revival in recent years, was on the slide.

One of the most successful Spanish films of 2004 , The Sea Inside (Mar adentro) was awarded the golden globe for the best foreign film earlier this month, and will be representing Spain in the Oscar ceremony t his year.

Price of houses in Spain

It looks as if the prices of houses in Spain are at last starting to come down. Yesterday the Housing Minister, Maria Antonia Trujillo, said that latest figures published suggest that trends in the Spanish property market were starting to change.

However, Trujillo declined to make any concrete prediction regarding a possible drop in house prices, or to comment on the possibility that Spain may soon be experiencing the same sort of downward trend in property prices as that experienced by the real estate market in Britain. She measured her words very carefully - "It is true that certain figures (related to the property market) indicate change".

The other day El Pais newspaper published an article about the future of the property market in Spain. The article said that most of the factors which caused the massive rise in prices experienced by the Spanish real estate market some years ago, have largely disappeared:

• The market is getting smaller because, unlike in the past, today betweeen 82 percent and 90 percent of Spanish families are home owners
• Economic growth in Spain is slowing down
• Spain will soon cease to receive funds from the EU cohesion funds
• Spanish families are more in debt than they used to be, and have less and less capacity for getting further into debt
• More houses are built in Spain than in all the other countries in Europe put together (according to El Pais)
• There are more than 3 million empty new homes in Spain. Many of these may come onto the market when their owners realise that prices are about to come down, which will lead to an excess of supply and will further bring prices down.
• The government is going to start limiting planning permission. According to the Minister yesterday, during the past 20 years whereas land dedicated to property development has fallen by 20% in the rest of the European Union, it has risen in Spain where 25 per cent more land has been developed - more than in the whole of Spanish history.
• The Spanish government wants to limit real estate speculation and mass construction, preferring instead to encourage the rehabilitation of old buildings and to give incentives to people renting property.

Related links:
News about the property market in Spain
Property in Spain - buying, renting, selling

Spanish Catholic church in condom crisis

Yesterday the spokesman of the Spanish Catholic Church spoke out in favour of using condoms to prevent the spread of Aids, in what is the first ever declaration of a representative of the Catholic church in Spain to condone the use of condoms in this sense. His declarations were, understandably, headline news today, but the Vatican reacted quickly and this evening other members of the Spanish Catholic church have been quick to deny that the spokesman's opinion coincides with the official doctrine of the Spanish Catholic church.

Yesterday Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, spokesman for the Spanish Bishops Conference, speaking after a meeting with the Spanish Health Minister Elena Salgado told the Spanish press "Condoms have a place in the context of the integral and global prevention of AIDS". The media here could hardly believe what they were hearing, given that Spanish Catholic bishops are hardly known for their liberal views about sexuality neither for encouraging the use of barrier contraception to combat sexually transmitted deadly diseases.

Sure enough, this morning the Vatican made known its disagreement with the much publicised declarations of the spokesman yesterday, and this evening, after holding a long crisis meeting, the Spanish Bishops Conference have issued a press release which reads as follows:

"Contrary to what some have said, it is not true that the Church has changed its position on condoms.... the use of a condom implies immoral sexual behaviour.... It is not possible to advise people to use condoms, if it goes against their private morality...,The only conduct to advise is the responsible exercise of sexuality, in line with the moral norm".

The spokesman of the Bishops Conference who made the pro-condom statement yesterday has made no comment today.

Madrid and Beijing become twin cities

Political representatives of Madrid and Beijing signed an agreement yesterday in China to twin the two cities. The president of the Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, and the mayor of Beijing, Wang Qishan met with the Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Liu Qi, before then signing the agreement.

According to China's People's Daily, Liu Qi told the press that "Beijing and Madrid are both well-known historical cities, which have the same task to promote economic development and urban construction". Meanwhile the mayor of Beijing said that the two cities had had frequent exchanges and communications over the past few years and that this agreement would strengthen their friendly relationship.

Esperanza Aguirre, who is probably one of the most astute, ambitious and determined members of Spain's popular party at the moment, said that Madrid hoped to strengthen cooperation with Beijing in such fields as economy and trade, tourism and cultural exchanges. Her visit to China has been applauded by business circles who consider the Chinese market to be crucial over the next few years, and by promotors of Madrid's bid to host the olympic games in 2012 who hope that her visit will raise awareness and that the twinning of the two capitals will boost Madrid's image as an "international" city.

The main news stories in Spain yesterday and today center around the king and queen's state visit to Morrocco. This is the Spanish royals' first official visit to Morrocco since 1979, and it represents the will of both countries to improve relations which reached an all-time low during Aznar's presidency. The Spanish king spoke at an official dinner yesterday evening and expressed his country's gratitude to the Morroccan government for their cooperation with Spanish authorities in the fight against terrorism.

The issues of terrorism and illegal immigration are the two most important things on the agenda of Spain's relations with the North African country. Yesterday king Mohamed VI pledged his support in both areas, and Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spain's foreign minister who is accompanying the king and queen on their visit, announced that the Spanish Interior Minister would be visiting Morrocco soon to discuss ways of reducing the high numbers of illegal immigrants who try to get across the sea separating Spain from Africa in crowded boats in search of a better life in Europe.

Related articles
New Spanish immigration laws
Madrid's bid to host 2012 Olympic Games

ETA's letter to Zapatero

Yesterday the political wing of the Basque terrorist group ETA sent a public letter to Zapatero, suggesting that he could become the "Tony Blair" of Spanish politics (is that really something to aspire to????).

For the first time in Spain's history, Batasuna (equivalent to Sinn Fein) proposes in its letter an agreement between nationalists and non-nationalists and suggests that all political groups should negotiate an agreement and then put it to the Basque people in the form of a referendum.

In what has been quite an intensive week as far as the Basque country is concerned, Spanish president Zapatero met with the Basque regional president on Thursday. Yesterday he met with the leader of the opposition, Mariano Rajoy to discuss the Basque political situation, and yesterday evening the letter to the Spanish president from Batasuna was made public.

Today Zapatero visited San Sebastian and used his appearance in a political rally there to answer Batasuna's letter. He invited the political wing of the Basque terrorist group to renounce violence, and said that until it does so, negotiation is impossible. "If we are to listen to them, the noise of the bombs and guns must stop once and for all. Have the courage to condemn and reject violence" he told Batasuna leaders. Zapatero also directed part of his speech directly at the leader of Batasuna, Arnaldo Otegi, saying that he should "be brave enough to condemn and reject violence". Zapatero said that if he did so, Otegi would see "to what extent I am capable of making an effort to achieve the peace that both Basque and all Spanish people yearn for"

Basque nationalism

Today Spain's president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero receives the president of the regional Basque government, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, in the Moncloa in Madrid. This is the second time Zapatero receives Ibarretxe in his official residence since he became president, although this meeting is expected to be more tense than the first.

Just before the New Year the Basque regional parliament narrowly voted in favour of the "Ibarretxe Plan" which was designed by the regional president during the last Popular Party government to upgrade existing autonomy in the Basque region and eventually achieve "free association" status.

The plan is considered by all mainstream Spanish political parties to be unconstitutional, and the fact that it was passed in the Basque parliament thanks to the votes of some of the political wing of the terrorist group ETA has added wide indignation to what was already firm rejection of the initiative throughout the rest of Spain.The Basque government's next move is to take the plan to the Spanish national parliament where it will be debated (and, inevitably rejected by a great majority).

The Popular Party have criticised the fact that the Basque plan is even going to be debated, since it is considered to be inconstitutional anyway. The Socialists argue that one of the roles of parliament in a democracy is to debate all major political issues, and if a political party with representation in parliament requests a debate, then there is no constitutional reason to refuse. Zapatero said yesterday that the proper way to defeat the plan is by democratic debate and arguments - "this is the greatness of a free system".

Ibarretxe on the other hand has warned that he will not let the Spanish parliament override the will of the Basque people if they back his plan in a referendum. And the pro-autonomy Catalan Republican Left (ERC), have warned that its representatives in national parliament might withdraw support from the national government unless the government starts negotiating the terms of the plan with the Basque government. The popular party call the whole thing the biggest challenge to national unity since Spain's transition to democracy in 1978.

Meanwhile, the Spanish president has announced his intention to express his total opposition to the plan when he meets with Ibarretxe this morning and to underline the "illegality" of the whole process. Last week King Juan Carlos made an appeal for unity and respect for the constitution which “allows Spain to progress united, in democracy and in freedom", and yesterday the association of Basque businessmen announced their opposition to increased autonomy.

The Spanish government is in a difficult position. While it accepts the desire of a majority in the Basque Region and Catalonia for greater independence and is committed to debating constitutional change, the Basque government's plan means that national government has lost the chance to lead a process of change based on consensus and constitutionality. In this sense it is difficult to predict where the solution lies and it will be very interesting to see how Spain's president tackles this one.

Related articles:
King refers to the possibility of constitutional reform in Spain
Zapatero announces constitutional reform in Spain
El plan Ibarretxe

Gibraltar's military commander found dead

According to the Ser this morning, the commander of British military forces in Gibraltar was found dead and fully-clothed in his swimming pool this weekend.

The Ministry of Defence have confirmed the rumour that the commander, David White, was the subject of a police investigation in Britain and had been called back pending the results of the investigation. The Ministry has declined to give any further details about the nature of the investigation.

Sources from the Ministry of Defence said that his death was not being treated as suspicious, while the Cadena Ser quotes the chief of police in Gibraltar, Eddie Yome, as saying that it was improbable that White had died of natural causes.

The commander was the most senior member of Britain's armed forces in Gibraltar after the governer whose role is symbolic.

Related articles on Gibraltar:
The future of Gibraltar
Gibraltar negotiations in Britain
Residents of Gibraltar vote in European elections
Gibraltar's 300th anniversary of British rule

Spain's aid to areas affected by the tsunami disaster

Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced yesterday his government's decision to send 650 soldiers, 5 military planes and a military hospital ship to the areas in South East Asia devastated by the tsunami. Speaking at a press conference after his meeting with Spanish Defence Minister Jose Bono yesterday, Zapatero spoke of a "state of world humanitarian emergency" and said that Europe and Spain should show an example to the rest of the world and contribute to the relief efforts in every way they possibly can.

The Spanish president said that two Hercules military planes would leave for the area with 18 tonnes of medical supplies, food, bottled water and a water purifying system. The hospital ship will also be fully equipped with medical instruments and 80 medical staff. The troops and supplies will start leaving for the Pacific tomorrow.

José Bono informed all the policital parties of the government's decision, but the initiative was criticised by the popular party who said that when the socialist government took power, one of Zapatero's first announcements was that his government would always inform parliament and seek approval of any decisions to send troops abroad to take part in humanitarian operations prior to the troops leaving Spain.

However the government argue that its commitment to consult parliament about sending troops is limited to areas involved in military conflict, and this is not the case of the countries affected by the disaster. The Defence Minister has announced his intention to explain details of the Spanish relief operation to the Parlimentary Defence Commission this week.

How to give aid to the relief work.

EU residents no right to vote in referendum on EU constitution

In a move which has angered some sectors of the non-Spanish EU residents in Spain, the Spanish government has apparantly decided that registered foreign residents from EU member states will not be allowed to vote in the referendum to be held on the new European Union Constitution next month.

Unlike in elections to the European parliament where member states are required to extend the right to vote to registered residents from other EU countries, in this referendum each EU government can to determine who is allowed to participate and who not. And the Spanish government, for some reason known only to itself, has decided that only Spaniards will have the right to vote in a referendum which is expected to attract very little debate and a very poor turnout.

Most non-Spanish EU residents who are used to registering and voting in local and European elections in Spain expected to vote in the referendum and according to an article in Expatica it only became apparant that were not going to have the right to vote this time when some expats went to their local town hall to ask why they still hadn't received their voting papers.

According to the Spanish Interior Ministry, non-Spanish EU nationals can vote in their home countries, but in theory this might not be the case since each individual country will decide whether or not provision will be made for nationals living abroad to participate in the referendum.

This means that paradoxically one of the few groups of people most likely to be quite interested in expressing their opinion on the new European Union constitution, because of how it will directly affect their rights as nationals of one EU state and residents in another, may actually not be able to vote at all.

Tsunami earthquake aid

In Spain, as indeed all over the world, news over the entire Christmas period has been dominated by the tsunami earthquake tragedy. In the wake of such enormous loss and suffering, any national news stories have somehow paled into insignificance.

Back to normal again now, but we will kick off the 2005 News from Spain blog with this message we received yesterday in our mailbox just incase anyone living in Spain wants to donate funds to one of the aid agencies working in the regions affected by the earthquake and hasn't yet.

Following the tsunami earthquake in South East Asia, the 'United for South East Asia' website initiative has been started:http://southeastasia.united.co.uk

The goal of United.co.uk is to list Aid organizations and charities asking for money to provide clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies and psychological help.

In order to make this initiative known on the net, please consider adding a link on your travel website.

Many thanks for your help and for your donations to Aid Organizations.

Euroresidentes published a list of agencies and bank accounts made available in Spain for people wishing to donate money to funds set up to help the devastated areas here: http://www.euroresidentes.com/Blogs/rodriguez_zapatero/2004/12/la-mayor-catstrofe-de-la-historia-cmo.html (this is the address of our blog on politics in Spain which is in Spanish, but the list at the end of the article is straightforward enough even if you do not speak the Spanish language).