Basque government spokesman Bingen Zupiria wanted to make it clear that the Minister of Economy does not want to downplay the impact of ETA, something that was understood and strongly criticized by members of the PSE, PP and victims’ associations.
Euskaraz irakurri: Jaurlaritzak barkamena eskatu du Azpiacien ETari et euskal ekonomiari buruzko adierazpen polemikoengatik
The economy minister of the Basque government, Pedro Azpiazu, made some controversial statements this week; in his opinion, ETA’s terrorism had no “extraordinary impact” on the Basque economy, and it was a drama ‘more personal than economic’. Now the People’s Party and the Covite victim organization have condemned these statements and the Basque government has apologized.
To appease the controversy, the Basque government wanted to clarify that Pedro Azpiazu does not want to minimize the impact of ETA and has asked excuse me.
Azpiazu, for his part, wanted to clarify on Friday that terrorism was a “clearly negative element” but that the Basque economy “showed resilience”. Today, he endorsed Zupiria’s words, as he stated on his Twitter account.
I endorse the statements of Basque government spokesman Bingen Zupiria:
The sailburu Pedro Azpiazu is upset by the decontextualization of his words.
— Pedro Azpiazu (@PedroAzpiazu) March 25, 2023
Criticism from various sectors
The government representative in the CAV, Denis Itxasohas criticized Azpiazu’s statements, accusing him of his “fragile memory”.
Sorry?
What about extortion, the revolutionary tax, kidnappings and murders of business people, attacks on workers’ and trade union representatives, corporate organisations, events and festivals? The practical destruction of the tourist fabric? https://t.co/CNN90L2WxC
— Denis Itxaso (@DenisItxaso) March 24, 2023
On the other hand, the president of the Basque PP, Carlos Iturgaizreminded him that “hundreds of businessmen” had to leave the Basque Country because of threats and extortion by ETA and that “many others didn’t have time to pack because ETA members shot them in the neck”.
Hundreds of businessmen had to pack their bags and leave the Basque Country because of threats, extortion and ETA’s revolutionary tax. And many others did not have time to pack their bags because the ETA members shot them in the neck. Azpiazu and PNV are denial. pic.twitter.com/r2eYNqvr9l
— Carlos Iturgaiz (@carlositurgaiz) March 25, 2023
The group of victims of terrorism, Covitehas described counsel’s statements as “false and indecent”, and has demanded that he “correct”.
Mr. @PedroAzpiazuETA extorted more than 10,000 businessmen, carried out nearly 90 kidnappings (many of them to fund themselves) and murdered 53 businessmen.
More than 100,000 people had to leave the Basque Country.
Your statements are false and indecent. We demand that you correct. pic.twitter.com/3sZjoU371o
— COVITE (@CovitePV) March 25, 2023
After this succession of reactions, the apology of the Basque government came in the mouth of alderman Bingen Zupiria.
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Source: EITB
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
