Terrorism is the strategy of psychological warfare. It has powerful ramifications, such as the recent attacks by the United States based on the terrorist bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The objectives of terrorism are as numerous as its causes. In the case of the terrorist group Euzkadi ta Askatasuna (ETA), the goal is national liberation and self-determination, similar to the Irish Republican Army and the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

As a result, in Spain, terrorism has shaped the politics of the nation. The ethnic nationalist terrorist organization ETA has taken the lives of more than 800 victims since its inception, and it has instilled a constant fear in the citizens and the leaders of the country. In the airport, just past customs, there are wanted posters for ETA leaders on the loose; the posters display photos of the terrorists, often in various disguises that change their appearances completely.

Self-determination: An International Privilege

"Every people has the fundamental and inalienable right to self-determination. It defines its political status in all freedom, without any external interference."
-Universal Declaration of the Rights of thhe People

Algeria 1976

Some Basques of Spain and France consider themselves members of an unrecognized nation. Neither country recognizes the Basques as an independent state. The fundamental goals of ETA and the Basque nationalist movement are territorial union and self-determination. However, ETA declare to be Marxist-communist and claim the creation of a Basque Country that would included the provinces of the actual Basque Country autonomy as well as Navarra autonomy and France Basque Country. In this two autonomies only 10% in Navarra and about 5% in France Basque Country follow some kind of nationalism.

The Basque Nationalistic leaders see themselves as leaders of a nation "assimilated by two powerful nations," and therefore the only method to further the cause is by force. The Basque Nationalistic leaders point to the small, newly created nations of Eastern Europe for inspiration, and to further their argument that they, too, should be granted an independent state. ETA has even proclaimed that the Spanish state is occupying the Basque nation by use of a genocidal plan.

Nation Without a State

In Spain, the terrorists have proclaimed a war against "the Spanish State," which they call "the military government," or "el gobierno militar." The Basque terrorists use this term because the ruling government is seen as the occupying force of the true Spain. The terrorists see themselves as a repressed minority conducting acts of rebellion and revolution. They claim to represent the struggle of the Basque working people, el Pueblo Trabajador Vasco.

ETA is a self-declared ethnic nationalist organization, proclaiming loyalty to the Basque region above Spain. The Basques have their own language and culture, and even their own flag. It is estimated that Basque history dates back to 20,000 B.C. As a result, the Basque language is unique compared to all other languages in the world. However, the Basque country has never exist as such but small tribes living in isolated hills, do ETA proclaim to rebuilt the Navarra kingdom which never was an kingdom for the Basque or government by the Basques.

More recently, the Basques have sought to secede from Spain by ballot. This would be the equivalent of a state like Texas or Louisiana or Maine separating by vote. In Spain, such a vote has been held unconstitutional. ETA considers the Spanish government as an occupying power which uses force to achieve cultural and linguistic assimilation, against the principles of the UN for peace and collaboration