With peace in the Basque Country in reach, Idaho lawmakers move to commend all parties

03/16/2012 -
Since 1972, Idaho's links to the Basque provinces in Spain and France have interested politicians from the late-Sen. Frank Church to longtime former Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa. The Legislature has passed many non-binding memorials pressing the Spanish government to quit persecuting the practice of Basque language and culture and recognize Basque autonomy.

Now 95 years old, Cenarrusa and his Foundation for Basque Culture are asking the Legislature to pass one last memorial urging completion of a promising peace process, now that ETA, once classified by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization has vowed to cease armed activity.

In 2002, a memorial sympathetic to ETA was vociferously opposed by the Spanish ambassador during a trip to Boise and prompted the intervention of then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Then-House Speaker Bruce Newcomb cracked that Idaho had declared war on Spain.

"This is the last push," Gloria Totoricaguena told the House State Affairs Committee Friday. "Hopefully this is the last time we have to come before you."

Roy Eiguren also appeared on behalf of the Cenarrusa Foundation, noting Idaho's large ethnic Basque population and that the Legislature has long been a supporter of peace and autonomy.

Eiguren said Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, had shared the memorial with the State Department and that the Obama administration raised no objections.

The non-binding Joint Memorial was introduced by the committee and sent immediately to the full House on a voice vote.

The measure commends ETA for it's "statements of definitive cessation of its armed activity and end to terrorism, and further commends the governments of Spain, France, the Basque Autonomous Community and Navarre for their actions to promote dialogue on the future of the Basque territories and achieving a lasting peace."

The measure also encourages and supports "their democratic governments in their ongoing efforts to establish a negotiation process to create a lasting peace, to recognize all victims of terrorism and to consider all democratic forms of referenda on the constitutional future of the Basque territories."

Read more here: http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/03/16/idahopolitics/with_peace_basque_country_reach_idaho_lawmakers_move_commend_all#storylink=cpy