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10 May 2007
MADRID – King Juan Carlos highlighted the way the peace process had worked in Northern Ireland in an allusion to the ongoing Basque conflict.
Speaking informally to journalists at the headquarters of the Guardia Civil, the king the “importance” of the new government in Northern Ireland, which is made up of Republicans and Unionists who for decades were bitter opponents.
King Juan Carlos said “there is a lesson here for any conflict zone”.
He recognised the differences between the situations in Ulster and the Basque country, but the king went on to say “efforts must be made” if a solution to the conflict is to be achieved, adding “if it works, it works”.
The Basque conflict appeared to have reached an impass, particularly after a court banned hundreds of candidates for the municipal elections because they belonging to a party with links to ETA.
The government’s talks with the Basque separatists foundered after Christmas when ETA bombed Madrid airport killing two people.
[Copyright EFE with Expatica]
Subject: Spanish news