Otegi: “Changes are Coming to the Basque Country, Let’s Seize the Opportunity”

After thousands of people had gathered for the demo in favour of self-determination, Otegi warned that new situations would entail "opportunities and risks" and said that the Basque nationalist left "has done its homework"

BILBO - The Basque Country is undergoing a time of change. That is what Arnaldo Otegi said in Bilbo yesterday in the political rally held after the demonstration under the slogan of Autodeterminazioa orain (Self-determination now). Otegi said the Basque nationalist left "had done its homework" in this time of change and that it was prepared to act "flexibly and pragmatically." He added: "Nevertheless, we have to make it quite clear that if the [French and Spanish] States decide to pursue the path of imposition, we won’t be afraid to stand up to them."

Thousands of people joined the march, which set out from the Aita Donostia square in Bilbo at 17.30 hours. Three demonstrators led it with an ikurrina [the red, white and green Basque flag] bearing a black ribbon accompanied by photos of Angel Berrueta and Kontxi Sanchiz. Then came a large Basque flag and a banner bearing the slogan of the march followed by many well-known members of the Basque nationalist left, including Arnaldo Otegi, Pernando Barrena, Jone Goirizelaia, Xabi Larralde, Rafa Diez, Txomin Ziluaga, Koldo Gorostiaga and Jose Luis Elkoro.

On each side thousands of citizens greeted the people leading the demonstration with applause and irrintzis (long yells). They later joined the march bearing Basque flags, flags of Navarre and posters saying Autodeterminazioa orain (Self-determination now). The Askapena organisation carried its own banner saying "No to occupation; peoples’ self-determination! Long live the peoples’ resistance!" and in this group many flags of Palestine and Iraq could be seen among the Basque ones.

The march followed the usual route accompanied by shouts of "Independence", "Work hard until we win," "Freedom for the prisoners, amnesty all round" and "Bring the Basque prisoners Home."

At 18.40 hours the head of the march reached the city hall and at 18.55 the political rally began.

Otegi began his speech with a reference to the latest arrests and said the model of the Spanish state was "in deep crisis". "The struggle of the Basque Country has ruined the aims established in the transition. What we have to tell Jose Maria Aznar is this: after eight years of repression you and your lot are leaving, and the Basque nationalist left is here."

In Otegi’s view "changes" were coming to the Basque Country: "We’re in a new era, not brought about by Zapatero, but by the process begun with Lizarra-Garazi and Udalbiltza."