A clear-cut-case

"IF YOU HAVE A STATE, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED, IF YOU DON'T, YOU HAVE NOTHING", JOAN CARRETERO

2012-02-27T22:08:00.000+01:00

21.02.2012

On Tuesday, February 21st, Mr. Joan Carretero, President of Reagrupament, was interviewed in Jordi Graupera´s Gent que m'estimo (People I love) section of Jordi Basté´s program El món a RAC1 (radio).

You can listen the interview (in Catalan) here.

Here you can read a summary of the most relevant answers of the interview.

"This (Catalonia) is a country of Catholic tradition in which there are many non-practicingCatholics, and also many non-practicing independentists"

"This country is always looking for euphemisms. The fact is, in practice, people want to be Spanish... a different kind of Spanish, because Catalans always look for strange things, but ultimately, we want to play against Real Madrid"

"It is possible that those who have tried to lead, have not known enough. We did not give people a chance to trust us."

"Most citizens want to define themselves in one way, but to act differently".

"I've always said, and I keep it, that every country has what it deserves"

"The main obstacle to Independence is that Catalans do not really demand it"

"Independence is not something that is given by someone. You take it. If Catalans want it, we will get it"

"The Spanish state has no say if Catalans decide to be independents"

"We always want others to do our job. I've heard silly things such as hope Madrid will get tired of us, and expel us..."

"The problem is not the lack of unity to share a few pro-independence votes... the problem is that they are few!"

"Reagrupament continues because we are convinced we are right... The problem is that, until now, our countrymen don't accept that ... since we are die-hard people, we will keep trying it"

"Convergència (Democràtica de Catalunya) is the greatest invention in politics in recent years because they always succeed. First they talk about economic pact, after about a fiscal pact only, and now they agree on a rebate of only 6 bilions of euros".

"Mr. Jordi Pujol, fooled us for years. Moreover, he ridiculed and despised pro-independence militants. He treated us as we were all crazy, people without a clear roadmap. But now he agrees that may be we are right"

Author: Rcat Web Team

Translation: JS

TIME TO SPEAK OUT

2012-02-19T14:39:00.001+01:00

28.01.2012

Crisis are times of difficulty and confusion in ideas and in public life.There are also times when leadership, the ability of governments and political projects are tested.

As an example, in the United States, President Obama and his administration are projecting some doubts, since its first term in office have not been as bright as expected. Even though they have do better than their predecessors, but not as good as the expectations they have raised when they accessed at the forefront of the world´s most powerful country.

Although in a very different scenario, MM. José Montilla and J.L. Rodriguez Zapaterohave already passed into history as dismal gray political leaders and rulers, not only for the mismanagement of the situation they have found, but also for being unable to provide hope. In Mr. Montilla case, his government´s incompetence and lack of national (catalan) project, led to a disastrous election results both to its own formation and to its partners. However, he has recently been nominated Spanish Senator. In the case of Mr. Zapatero and their followers, they are a crystal-clear example that systematic frivolity, demagoguery and deceit deserve a strong electoral punishment.

Obviously, recent political changes should imply changes in main political forces behavior. However, in Catalonia, with the exception of more severe spending cuts, the current government has not substantially changed the worst of Mr. Montilla´s policies, specially regarding the relationship between Catalonia and Spain. The Catalan government sails in mediocrity and takes refuge in an ambiguous and incomprehensible discourse. The same goes for CiU federation, under Mr. Duran i Lleida leadership and dictate from Madrid.

President Artur Mas declared that "perhaps the seams of the Constitution and the Statute have to be broken a bit". Also, Mr. Oriol Pujol, recommended lime tea to die-hard independentists. As we can see, our rulers poverty of language and metaphors is alarming. In Catalonia, we simply replace one metaphor (fish basket) for another (broken seams) without achieving real progress. Instead we need to have our own fishing nets in order to capture according to our needs, and wear our own made clothes and not those made by someone´s else.

However, at the EU there are leaders who are not afraid to speak out, even if they don´t get the desired outcomes. As an example, Scotland government is fullfilling its promise to consult its people on the country's independence. In Scotland, where those in favour of Independence are less than in Catalonia, citizens won´t be asked about a new fiscal pact or about UK law broken seams.

They will be simply asked if they want their own state, if they want Independence.

Do not think the time has come in Catalonia to speak out?

Author: RCAT web team

Translation: JS

Trying to counteract Duran's unionist stand and Pujol's lime tea, Artur Mas

2012-02-19T14:37:00.000+01:00

25.01.2012

A few days ago, Mr. Oriol Pujol, number 3 of CiU federation, recommended to pro-Catalonia independence supporters some lime tea, and Mr. Duran i Lleida, number 2 of the same federation, denied that SNP is for Independence. On Tuesday, Mr. Artur Mas, President of the Generalitat de Catalonia, and CiU's boss, had to announce that “perhaps the seams of the Constitution and the Estatut have to be teared a bit”. Thus Mr. Mas is trying to rise as a country’s defender in front of the previous discouraging statements referred.

Mr. Mas, expects to counteract the nationally frustrating effect of both statements, that caused a deep disappointment between those most sovereignists. These statements disappointed again the most sovereigntist troops. Besides, former Minister Carme Laura Gil censured them in public in her blog, considering them as “regrettable”. In this way, CiU’s leader is trying to slow Mr. Duran i Lleida’s usual expressions down, which have a clearly pro-Spanish unity tone. We can understand this as an attempt from Mr. Mas to maintain his formation’s typical ambiguity, from which they expect collecting votes from everywhere.

Mr. Oriol Pujol considers that sovereignism, is an affliction that has to be treated with some lime tea

In an interview for the newspaper El País, Mr. Oriol Pujol was asked if sovereignism has to be operated on, or if a pill treatment should be enough. Mr. Pujol declared: “For more or for less? The most effective thing is treating it with lime tea: some lime tea, a bit of patience. Our approaches want neither too much urgency nor fireworks. Otherwise, they create frustrations.”

Author: RCAT Web team

Translation: MA

The Yes vote to GOS fiscal measures upsets CDC troops

2012-02-06T13:35:00.003+01:00

Former president Mr. Jordi Pujol, tries to calm down militants saying that economic discrimination justifies independence

Duran´s opinion prevails over Mas-Colell´s criticism regarding income tax rise

CiU vote for GOS (Government of Spain) anti-crisis measures has not been fully understood in Catalonia. Not even for a large number of CDC rank-and-file members, according to several CDC militants close to RCAT associates.

These members have started to press the party's leaders. They don't quite understand the yes vote, specially after voting against Mr. Mariano Rajoy´s election as President. And also after Mr. Andreu Mas-Colell, the Minister for Economy and Knowledge, categorical words opposing to those measures -that include a rise of the income tax. According to the Minister´s words, tax income rise risks to place Catalonia's fiscal burden at a suffocation level. In critics opinion "if they didn´t want to to vote against, they could have just abstained".

Having that in mind, it is quite obvious the motivation of former president Jordi Pujol's article posted in his website. Mr. Pujol would have written it to try to appease the unease of militants. In the piece, Mr. Pujol acknowledges that

" Catalonia as a country could be driven to unviability, (...) not because of the economic consequences of independence, but the impossibility – as a result of economic discrimination –of Catalonia to respond not only to the needs of wealth creation or the support for our language and culture, but also to build a truly bona fide society for all her citizens. This, as much or more than any other argument, would be a valid reason to opt for independence. "

However, some analysts consider that the yes vote can also be read having in mind the traditional tensions between CDC and UDC. And more specifically as a Mr. Duran's victory not only over Mr. Mas-Colell, but over the whole Catalan Government. Mr. Duran, as CiU´s top figure in Madrid, in this sense, would be setting the political line of the Government of the Generalitat, without paying the costs that entails to head a department.

Authored: RCAT Web Team

Translation: MA

A leading president or a crumbs manager?

2012-01-14T10:39:00.001+01:00

Catalonia´s puppet government outflanked by GOS new policies

Although it was known and expected that once in charge of the Government of Spain (GOS), Mr. Rajoy's Partido Popular (PP), would set up new centralist policies, Mr. Mas' puppet government reaction has been timid and confusing. Even worst, it seems to consider them as minor reforms only. However, with the excuse to deal with the deficit, new GOS is committed to scrap the few autonomous powers still standing after the 2006 Statute of Autonomy disaster. No one understands Mr. Mas invisibility in front such an scenario. In fact, due to PP announced reforms, the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia will become just a mere manager of a Catalan budget, that will required a GOS approval before its final pass.

As usual, PP has spoken loud and clear. They defend Spain as One Nation only, and that no (Catalonia's) right to decide exists and will ever exist. No "fiscal pact" exists either. The same for (Mr. Mas) so much referred, "national transition". Or may be CiU's national transition project heads towards Spain instead of Catalonia?

In any case, those that favour autonomy and sit at Government table, are the first who have to explain the collapse of autonomy. A scenario, by the way, thatReagrupament announced some months ago.

To a serious -as Mr. Mas likes to present himself- President, we only ask him to recognize the gravity of the situation, and change strategy accordingly. Forget gestures, rethoric and appeals to people's will, and practice true President's responsibility. President Mas should be loyal to the people that elected him, and not to a political party (PP) that openly wants to destroy Catalan Identity, Language and Culture. President Mas should be loyal to the people, not financial lobbies, not to a partner with interests in the Spanish ministries.

There is an adult and complete nation, full of problems, debts and challenges, but willing to stand up and exercise their rights within an European democratic framework. Other nations who share similar scenarios to Catalonia's, for example, Scotland, count with leaders decided to end dependency. And we, the Catalans? Do we have a president ready to lead the nation towards freedom and the right to decide? Or a sad manager just satisfied with the crumbs of the crumbs.

Authored: RCat web team

Translation: JS

IMPERIUM FAIL!

2012-01-07T01:48:00.002+01:00

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

WHAT IS REAGRUPAMENT?

2012-01-05T19:51:00.001+01:00

Reagrupament Independentista (RCAT), is an association fully committed to Catalonia'sIndependence and Political Regeneration. Though we are not properly a political party, our project is to promote electoral options (local or national lists, coalitions, platforms, etc) to contest elections in order to form a majority at the Parliament of Catalonia willing to pass aUnilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).

RCAT considers that the only way to preserve and promote Catalonia as a nation, is to access to Independence, Statehood, EU and UN memberships. Under the Spanish rule, there is no future, but a more or less slowly process of minorisation, first, and elimination as a people, in the end.

During the last decades, the formation of new states has been a feature of World politics. It is the outcome of globalization and democratization. The new Catalan state, in this sense, will promote democracy and cultural diversity.

RCAT as an association was formed in 2009. Since then, four national assemblies have been celebrated. The I Assembly (october 2009) elected the National Executive. In the II Assembly (march 2010) a political roadmap was approved. In the III Assembly (july 2010), was decided to support an electoral list to contest to the parliamentarian elections. Finally, in the IV Assembly (June 2011), a new National Executive was elected and a reviewed Political Platform was approved.

Joan Carretero i Grau (1955) is the current President of the association. It was so elected in the I Assembly, and again in the IV Assembly. Professionally he is a Doctor working in the Catalan Health Service. He lives and works in Puigcerdà (Cerdanya). Politically, he is a former Puigcerdà Mayor (1995-2003) and a former Catalan Minister of Governance and Public Administration (2003-2006). He doesn't consider himself as a professional politician, but a professional in politics.

RCAT considers that support to Independence is ideologically transversal among the Catalan society. That implies that we can find pro-independence supporters of different ideological perspectives. In this sense, RCAT considers that these ideologically differences must be put aside until the Declaration of Independence. As a consequence, RCAT members come from a diversity of political spaces. We have decided to emphasize those values we share: the fight for Independence, the Political Regeneration and the ethics of Work.

In coherence with the principle of political transversality in the fight for Independence, RCAT has developed a political strategy consistent in building coalitions with other groups and political parties that also promote independence.

Unfortunately, a first offer to build such a coalition made by Mr. Joan Carretero to contest to2010 Parliament of Catalonia election, was rejected by others groups. The lack of a Pro-Independence transversal list was severely punished by voters. The number of pro-Independence MPs fell from 21 to 14. This electoral outcome contrasted with the growing number of pro-Independence supporters showed in media and academic polls and surveys.

Things changed a little bit for 2011 Local election. RCAT members successfully built local coalitions with a number of other pro-Independence groups. In the National Capital,Barcelona, UnitsXBarcelona (UxB) list, a coalition including RCAT, ERC and DC, managed to gain 2 seats. In Girona, RCAT won 1 seat, in a list shared with CUP.

Totally, RCAT saw about 60 local candidates wining a seat. Numbers aside, what really mattered was that a first step to independentists unity had been done. Political analysts and journalists, in this sense, emphasized RCAT capacity to reach agreements with virtually all groups and parties that favour independence.

This experience was so positively valued that facilitated the formation of a new coalition to contest to 2011 Spanish Parliament elections. Now, the coalition was formed between RCAT, ERC (who had changed its leadership just days before), and Catalunya Sí (a citizens platform). Early polls gave to the coalition no representation at all. However, perspectives grew after the first electoral campaign week. Finally, the coalition managed to gain three seats at the Congreso de los Diputados chamber (2 in Barcelona, and 1 in Girona).

To sum up, however modest the outcomes have been, it is well evident that RCAT has been instrumental to reverse a negative trend. Now, the challenge to form a Pro-Independence unity coalition to contest next Parliament of Catalonia elections (scheduled, in principle, in 2014) is unavoidable. RCAT will do its best to make it happen.

Don't vote the referendum! (or else)

2011-03-27T14:02:00.006+02:00

The Barcelona Decides initiative is a non-binding referendum (not authorized or approved by Spanish law) which will take place on the 10th of April 2011

Should Catalonia be independent from Spain?
Should there be a referendum which the law does not permit?

Watch the video and decide for yourself

Just a proof

2011-03-17T18:22:00.000+01:00

Just a proof.

2009-03-13T13:47:00.005+01:00

DOCUMENT SUBMITTED TO MEP IN BRUSSELS, 05.03.2009

(ENGLISH VERSION)

All Catalans here present, and those who have not been able to travel with us, but are here in heart today, have come here to proclaim that we want Catalonia to have a place in the World, alongside the other nations of Europe. We are here because we want a free nation, a modern nation, one which is advanced just, responsible, cultivated, open to the World and proud of itself. Because we have full right to this and beacuse we want a state of our own.

From the Middle Ages to the XVIIIth Century, the Catalan nation, the Catalan countries, had its own independent political identity. As Pau Casals remembered at the United Nations in 1971, Catalonia, birthplace of European democracy, was the first nation to have a Parliament, even before England. At the outset of the Modern period, the Catalan nation entered a confederation with the crown of Castile and, despite the imperialist ten

dencies of Spanish monarchs, for centuries maintained its own state until, through the force of arms, the Spanish king, with the help of France, conquered Valencia in 1707, Catalonia in 1714 and Majorca in 1715. They then proceded to dismante our institutions of government and our Parliament and did their utmost to wipe out our language and our identity thus converting us into Spaniards.

From then on, the Catalan nation has been submitted to Spanish rule, and the most recent attempt by President Francesc Macià to constitute a Catalan Republic, within the federation of Iberian nations, en 1931, was brought to a cruel end by the Fascist alliance of dictator Franco with Hitler and Mussolini.

Once democracy was recovered, in 1977, Catalonia recovered her dream of of regaining her political status within a democratic federation. However, as a result of the Coup d’État of February 23rd 1981, Catalan hopes of reaching a bilateral relationship with Spain have been progressively dashed. This has become clear in the appalling episode by which our Statute of Autonomy has been mutilated, a process which will doubtless be confirmed by the forthcoming sentence of the Spanish Constitutional Court, in which a body made up of biased judges at the service of the Spanish parties shall decide against the will of our people as expreesed at the polls.

Depence on the decisions of the State of the Spanish people is leading us to a desperate situation. Daily the Catalan language is losing vigour and prestige as its social usage is progressively reduced as Spanish institutions launch campaigns of cultural homogenization highlighting the idea that there is one language, theirs, which is superior. Parallel to this, the difference between the taxes our citizens have to pay and the public services we receive in exchange is a case of outright spoliation defying comparison in the western world. It daily affects the lives of millions of people and puts social cohesion at risk.

The survival of Catalonia, as a nation, and Catalan as a thousand-year-old language of culture which is part of Europe’s heritage, are at risk. The Catalan people must opt for pacific mobilisation in defense of our individual and collective rights.

All of us have understood that it is the moment to say “enough”. The Europe of States is being consolidated along the lines of the will of the States that make it up and the dream of a Europe of People and Nations has been swept away for many years, if not forever.

We have come to Brussels with two objectives. Attaining them depends on us Catalans alone.

We want the Catalan national parties to once and for all place independence as an objective on their election programmes and self-determination as a priority in its Government action. We do not want government agreements which fail to make clear that the Government of Catalonia will promote self-determination with a view to obtaining independence to enable us to become state in the European Union with the same rights and obligations as the rest of current member states.

From here we wish to show the World that there is a conflict in Catalonia, a conflict of a pacific nature. The catalan people have the right to self-determination and wsh to exercise that right. We want to have the chance to decide our own collective future. We want to vote on this.

Europe has to know that the Spanish Sate will never be a democracy if it denies us the right to decide for ourselves. All we are asking for is a real democracy, we want to freely decide our own collective future as the citizens of Montenegro and Greenland have recently done, and as the Slovakians, Slovenians, Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians did a few years ago, and as the Irish, the Poles, Finns, Hungarians and so many other nations of Europe did beforehand, as they progressively recovered their freedom.

With hope, with strength and with courage, we want to raise our voices and say:

We are a nation, we want to exercise our right to self-determination, we want to vote on this!

We want a State of our own, Long live Catalonia! Visca Catalunya!

I'm fed up with you, guys

2008-11-13T19:46:00.002+01:00

After having read many times The Economist’s piece “How much is enough?” (November, 6th), I can only say "I’m fed up with you, guys". It is an example of biased journalism. Well, to be truth, this is not journalism. It comes straight from a Spanish government-contracted PR agency.

Your approach to the issue is clearly committed to one point of view. So, now, it seems that Liberty has degrees, right? Of course not. Liberty has no degrees at all. You’re free to choose your own future or you’re not free, and someone decides your future on your behalf. That is the key question.

From the author’s point of view, Catalans do not deserve the same rights as Slovenes, Slovaks, Finnish, Lithuanians, or Irish peoples. Are Catalan human beings, with dignity and rights , or only subjects to tax extraction, cultural annihilation and economic and social impoverishment?

If, as the author states, Independentism is marginal, why the Spanish government, politicians and media oppose to a Catalonia self-determination referendum?

Are Catalans not entitled to decide their own future? Are we different from other Europeans nations?

After more than three centuries of Spanish and French aggression, we’re still alive. We’ve survived, and yes, we have failed to gain statehood. But also we have overcome extinction. Sometimes paying a big price, in lifes and pain. So here we are.

And believed it or not, Spanish credit is exhausted. The autonomy model will be killed in a matter of weeks, thanks to the Constitutional Court sentence. The federal model is a bad joke. No one is federalist in Spain.

The only “great Spanish project” is the one that sees Madrid as the cosmic, universal center of the World, even though they have failed to be an Olympic City (sorry, amigos, I think that 2016 won’t be your turn… again).

The only “great Spanish project” is a racist driven vision of the cultural diversity principle. A vision that considers there are cultures and languages not only different, but superior than others. And that those inferiors cultures fate is extinction in a more or less tolerant way.

The only “great Spanish project” is the one that exists in the mind –and the pocket- of those puppet Catalan politicians like Mr. Narcís Serra –implicated, by the way, in the dirty war against ETA, that is in the state-sponsored terrorism in the eighties- or like J.A. Duran i Lleida –whose party faces very serious judicial problems due to corruption accusation-, that deny to their own people the right to a better life, with liberty and dignity…

In fact, what this article shows is the fear and terror that Spanish politicians and media have that sooner than later a vast majority of Catalans will opt democratically for Independence. And to the fact that to oppose such a decision, the Spanish government won’t be able to use the army, since that will be condemn by NATO and EU partners, and of course by public opinion -may be with the exception of The Economist, that will applaud it.

(And because the Spanish state lacks the economic and military resources needed, other than the puremacho element, that is “balls”).

Is it necessary to remind you that Spain has not yet recognized Kosovo Independence? You may say that Catalonia has nothing to do with Kosovo. May be you think that they belong to different planets. But that’s not true, I know for sure. What’s more, they belong to the same continent. Of course they are different cases. But precisely because they are not the same cases, why Spain is afraid to recognise Kosovo Independence? Because they know perfectly well the implications of such recognition.

The next Independence wave, in the following decade, will include Quebec, Scotland –less probably, Wales- and, yes, Catalonia’s. Also it will see the break-up of Belgian federation and Ireland reunification.

So I advise you to sit in a couch and try to assimilate it. Because you will see it, and better to accept it in the name of Liberty and Democracy. On the contrary, you will have to swallow all of it. From the beginning to the end, my friends.

Note: First published at Bloc Gran del Sobiranisme

2008-10-05T20:13:00.001+02:00

2008-06-06T18:06:00.000+02:00

LOOK, LEARN AND ACT ACCORDINGLY

2008-02-19T00:11:00.005+01:00

CONGRATULATIONS, PEOPLE OF KOSOVA

CONGRATULATIONS, PEOPLE OF KOSOVA.

KOSOVA NOW, TOMORROW CATALONIA

TODAY, THE GLORY IS YOURS

TOMORROW IT WILL BE OURS!

GLORY TO KOSOVA PATRIOTS

GLORY TO THE FALLEN

WE MISS YOU

WE HONOUR YOU,

EVEN IF WE DON'T KNOW (MOST OF) YOU

A PATRIOT IS EVERYWHERE A PATRIOT

YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

YOU DESERVE IT

BE PROUD OF THAT

PAST GENERATIONS ARE LOOKING TO YOU

FUTURE ONES WILL BENEFIT

WE, CATALANS,

WILL JOIN YOU

AS THE MOMENT WILL ARRIVE

SOON BETTER THAN LATER

TODAY, THE GLORY IS YOURS

CONGRATULATIONS, PEOPLE OF KOSOVA

JOSEP SORT, CATALONIA

http://josepsort.blogspot.com

http://aclearcutcase.blogspot.com

NOTE: This is a (poem?) I've just send to the following web: http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/

2008-02-17T12:20:00.005+01:00

TODAY KOSOVO, TOMORROW CATALONIA

SUNDAY, 17.02.2008

A NEW STATE IS BORN

CONGRATULATIONS KOSOVA

(MAY CATALONIA BE THE NEXT STATE IN EUROPE)

2008-02-14T09:56:00.002+01:00

The Boss in Barcelona, and speaking Catalan

2008-01-23T19:52:00.000+01:00

Spanish terrorism strikes again

On Sunday, a provoked fire damaged Bloc Nacionalista Valencià's headquarter in Benicàssim, a very important tourist and beach municipality located 13 km. north from Castelló de la Plana. This is the third time that the same building is attacked by Spanish terrorist organisations that want to threat all those who consider that the territory south of Sènia river is also an integral part of the Catalan nation.

As usually, this agression has attracted no attention from mainstream media, neither from València nor from Barcelona cities. However, this is another step forward towards the terror campaign implemented by Spain, against Catalan identity. Let's remember it. We must stop all the fascist-style agression and bring all the criminals to the justice -not the Spanish one, cause it is not fair and balanced in these issues, but to the international judicial stances.

Also it deserves to be mentioned that a terrorist campaign including threatening graffities is on the move in Valencia's city section of Barri del Carme. Again menaces and threats are written on the walls against patriotic and leftists organisations and people.

2008-01-20T08:26:00.000+01:00

JOINT EFA DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF
THE CONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE BY THE EDINBURGH GROUP

Yesterday, representatives from independentists parties within the European Union, signed a Political Declaration, in demand of the recognition of the internal enlargement.

At the meeting, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, attended the top representatives of the following political parties: Ian Hudghton (Scottish National Party), Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru, Wales), Josep Lluís Carod Rovira (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya), Geert Lambert (Spirit, Flanders), Unai Ziarreta (Eusko Alkartasuna, Euskalherria) and Anxo Quintana (Bloque Nacioalista Galego). All these parties belong to European Free Alliance eurogroup in the European Parliament.

By internal enlargement is understood the process current non-state nations within EU, once they will access to independence, will be granted EU full membership status.

The signature is a big step forward to the coordination strategy of all those political groups. We have to bear in mind that in the years to come, in some of these nations are scheduled or preparing self-determination referenda. These are the cases of Euskalherria (2008-2010), Scotland (2010) and Catalunya (2014).

From this blog I hail this initiative, and expect it to have a real impact in the hearts and minds of eurocrats.

2008-01-04T21:32:00.000+01:00

AGAINST SPANISH TERRORISM

Last december saw the constitution of a new citizen platform against Spanish terrorism impunity. The first activity that the new platform will carry out will be to participate in the judicial trial against 27 thugs arrested under Operation Panzer in 2005. The platform will exercise the popular accusation against them.

Among the arrested and put to trial thugs, there are some of the most violent, nazi friendly assets operating in València area and surroundings. Even one of them was sentenced to 16 years for the killing of a Catalan Patriot. But after 4 years in prison the spanish colonial judicial system allow him to get out.

Members of the new citizen platform , in a meeting with the local press, said that in València area and sorroundings the spanish terrorism has committed 600 attacks against homosexuals, immigrants and Catalan Patriots and leftist militants. It is by far the Spanish state area with most of such actions. They pointed to police, certain medias and the Spanish Popular Party of a kind of toleration towards this terrorism that threats the free and democratic life.

In order to underline the danger these spanish thugs represent, just take a look of the weapons storage seized following their crack down: rifles, guns, pen-guns, machetes, katanas, knives, knuckle dusters, war stuff coming from Spanish army, including a grenade launcher, two 25 mm grenades, and also medieval age weaponry. A total of 18 facilities were stormed, in València (HQ), Sagunt, Puçol, Xiva, La Pobla de Farnals, Torrent, Silla, Paterna, La Font de la Figuera, Burjassot and Xirivella.

Although my trust in the spanish colonial judicial system is below zero, I think sometimes it is compelled to save the forms. My personal opinion is that this bunch of thugs opted to be free riders, so they became a risk for Spanish established powers, and so they chose to finish them.

We must continue our fight against the spanish terrorism. Unfortunately it is a fight far to be over. Media, political, judicial and police elements support it in an every day more open way. Also it is worth to be mentioned the implication of military personnel in these gangs. Spanish professional military soldiers had committed terrible acts of violence in the last years including assassinations of ordinary people just for fun or after a traffic accident.

2007-12-30T15:48:00.000+01:00

CATALAN SPORTS: CATALONIA vs EUSKAL HERRIA

Yesterday Catalonia's Football squad played a match against Euskal Herria's. It was a fine match, that finished with an even score, 1-1. The match happened at San Mames stadium, in Bilbo. The event was a clear demand for the official recognition of both teams, in order to play official championships, such as Scotland, Wales do.

Unfortunately, the US soccer team rejected to play against Catalonia's two months ago, due to the pressions carried out by Spanish Football Federation (FEF). It was a shameful behavior, a coward reaction from them. This gang-style diplomacy practised by FEF, must be condemned. Catalonia is a nation with a deep and glorious sport tradition that qualifies him to play at international level in most of the disciplines. As a matter of fact, if Catalan sportsmen and sportswomen would play under the Catalan flag, chances for Spain to obtain medals would diminish considerably. That's the question. Not to mention the symbolic dimension.

But leaving Spain's obsessions aside, yesterday was a great day. Modestly, I think that if Catalan squad would have keep the same players from the beginning to the end -with no more than three changes- we would have win the match. Catalan goal, a beautiful one, was scored by Bojan Krkic.

I think it is a good idea to start talks in order that the next match played by Catalonia squad will be against the above mentioned Scotland team. Others, official, alternatives also accepted.

2007-12-23T12:14:00.000+01:00

CATALAN SPORTS: USAP RUGBY SQUAD

USAP:LONDON IRISH
Uploaded by wiljor

2007-12-19T17:35:00.000+01:00

SPANISH TERRORISTS ON THE MOVE

Last week a bunch of Spanish terrorists attacked a cultural meeting held in Casal Jaume I at Sueca (Ribera Baixa) (picture on the right). They tried to boycott it, but were ejected by the public and also by ohters citizens who came to aid. As usually when fascists attacks occur, police units arrived late, approximately, ten minutes (local police) and half an hour (Civil Guard). Three people from the public were injured and needed medical attention. Local police arrested five fascists out of thirty. Civil Guard, none.

Guest speakers, journalist Víctor Alexandre and activist Èric Bertran, were not touched and once the terrorists were ousted, the meeting proceeded with no more incidents. Both were in Sueca invited to introduce the book Èric Bertran i l'Exèrcit del Fènix.

Attackers were Grup d'Acció Valencianista (GAV) gang members, devoted to attack any Catalan meeting or demonstration that takes place in the city of València and its surroundings.

This incident is just one more of the list of attacks, agressions and threats that sectors opposed to our Catalan identitycarryied out. In fact, there is no freedom of expression in some localities of València area, since Catalan people and activists known positively that if they express publicly their ideas, they become automatically possible targets of an agression. The situation tends to be each more and more tense.

Notwithstanding, mainstream media, in Barcelona and València, tend to ignore this thugs demonstrations. Maybe they are waiting for a death. Then, yes, the event will deserve some attention.

2007-12-17T23:48:00.000+01:00

iCatalanizer 0.2

Since Apple's sensibility towards Catalan customers is minus zero, Catalan Mac and Apple addicts must have to find ways to have Apple software in Our National Language, that is, in Catalan. Today we have know that there is a Catalan version for iPhone. That's great. Another step forward to consolidate our Language in the Information Society.

Those interested in downloaded it, please, click here.

2007-12-14T13:16:00.000+01:00

HATE CRIMES IN THE SPANISH STATE

Do you know that...

Between 1975 and 1980, 460 people died in political-related episodes, questioning the moderate and peaceful development interpretation of the post-francoist transition.

Since 1995, 76 people have been assassinated in hate-related crimes.
Most of the victims were immigrants, homosexuals, homeless,
leftists, anarchists and independentists.

There is an average of 4.000 hate agressions per year.

Hate related crimes were committed in 200 different localities.

There are more than 100 racist websites

There are 70 fascist music bands

And more than 10.000 ultras and fascists militants

Once you know that, may be you also want to know that

Hate ideologies such as Islamophobia and Antisemitism are growing
realities in the Spanish state

Catalanophobia is skyrocketing among Spanish society,
in fact it always has been a core component of the spanish nationalist discourse,
as an example, there is a military say that states that
"Barcelona deserves to be shelled every 50 years"

Spanish fascist organisations are specially active
in selected Catalan areas such as El Vallès, El Camp de Tarragona
and the City of València and surroundings

Now, if you are a decent human being,
you must understand that INDEPENDENCE is the only solution for Catalans,
in order to be a free people, living with dignity and self-respect.

2007-12-11T18:36:00.000+01:00

CATALAN TV BANNED

On Sunday night, officials from Valencian Regional government, shut down the facility that allowed to a large segment of population from cities such as Alacant (323,000 inhabitants), Elx (219.000 inhabitants), among others, to watch TV3, the most important Catalan-speaking Tv channel.

In the Age of Internet, that a government attacks such an elemental right as Free of Expression, it's a decision, that deserves to be denounced worldwide. This initiative, however, also targets the diffusion of Catalan Language in an area where its survival is in a critical situation. In the coast line, Catalan is almost extinguished, after decades of linguistic and cultural discrimination, being considered as an inferior, rural, a 2nd Class language.

I condemn the move made by the Valencian government, on Partido Popular's hands, and invite all democrats, being they catalans or not, to join all the campaigns and initiatives to reactivate the reception of TV3 in the area mentioned.

Let's rise our Voice to Europe and to the whole World!

2007-12-10T16:12:00.000+01:00

TIME TO SWALLOW, MY FRIENDS

For Spanish government, media and main parties (PSOE and PP) the time to swallow is approaching. Kosovo will be independent sometimes between today and next May. Most probably next January. Spain must swallow the independence of Kosovo, as previously did with the independence of Montenegro and before that of the rest of new states coming into existence since 1989. His opinion is irrelevant.

Of the 27 European Union states, Spain sides with the block most opposed to the recognition of Kosovo Independence. This block is also formed by the following states: Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia. All these states fear that the Kosovo precedent will impact in their domestic affairs. In the Spanish case, of course, politicians and journalists realize that Kosovo's access to independence will mark a precedent: the break up of a State Territorial Integrity , that can be useful for future cases, like Catalan one.

But since USA, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and even France, are for the recognition of Kosovo Independence, Spain's stand is completely marginal. No one cares about it. That's the reality Spanish politicians and media tend to ignore. They think of themselves to be the World's centerpiece. And frankly, they are not. In fact, they are far away of being the World's centerpiece of something, except, maybe, of corruption.

Catalonia's Independence Movement, once the moment arrives, will hail enthusiastically the Kosovo accession to Freedom and Independence. Their Liberty approaches our's, even though, our political context differs so much from Kosovo's.

Also, it deserves to be mentioned that Kosovo's independence won't be happily accepted by a key european actor, such as Mr. Javier Solana (picture). As a Spanish politician, he is squarely opposed to Catalonia's Independence. After Montenegro's episode, where he made his best to prevent the accession to Independence of the former Yugoslavian Republic, his leadership at European level is almost inexistent.

In the current debate, the two main international actors have been the United States (favouring the Independence of Kosovo), and Russia (opposing it). Also United Nations and NATO have played an important, if controversial role. But this is not the case, again, of the European Union, that until now, has been unable to reach a common stand. So the visibility of Solana's figure has been really very low.

For the record. Solana's political mentor was his uncle Salvador de Madariaga. Exiled in London during the Francoist regime, Madariaga once was quoted to say that "Even though Franco's regime is bad, may be it solves in a definitive way the Catalan question".

Francoist dictatorship not only banned Catalan Language and Culture, practicing a cultural extermination policy, but also assassinated thousands of Catalan Patriots, including the President of Catalonia, Mr. Lluís Companys in 1940. Mr. Companys (picture) was captured by Gestapo in the occupied France, and handed over to Francoist police. He was tortured, and submitted to a fake judicial process, condemned and assassinated by a fire squad in Barcelona's Montjuïch Castle.

Mr. Lluís Companys was the only democratically elected President assassinated by Fascist regime. His trial and sentence, has not yet been declared illegal and void.

2007-12-09T17:21:00.000+01:00

CATALONIA INDEPENDENCE: ONLINE INITIATIVES

Catalonia's Independence Movement is very active and present in Internet. As an example, we can bring the high number of weblogs written in Catalan, that form the Catosfera, a neologism from Catalonia and Blogosphere. A large number of them, 553 to be exact -and growing-, are members of Xarxa de Blocs Sobiranistes (Sovereignists Blogs Network), that is, they push for Catalonia's Independence. This network is a prove of the Online Independentist Movement' strength.

Unfortunately, few Independentists websites or weblogs offer an English version or translation. That's sad, because this limitation discriminate all the surfers unable to read and understand our National Language. And if the independentist movement, including parties, personal weblogs, civic platforms and media, do not offer it, these surfers are compelled to read Spanish media, such as El Pais, El Mundo or ABC, all of them totally opposed to our demands.

In fact Spanish Media are the Spearhead of current Spanish Nationalism, who has as one of its top obsession the Catalanophobia. Following Mr. Xabier Arzallus words, a former leader of Basque Nationalist Party, Spanish Media assume the role previously developed by Armed Forces: to watchdog the Spanish National Unity and Integrity. That's why he call them the Brunete Media (Brunete is the Spanish 1st Tank Division's name). Other analysts of the same phenomena, opt to use the term Spanish Jihad to describe the fanatical stand of these media.

Back to Catalan Online presence, there are, in fact some examples of good practices. I mean some online pro-independence initiatives that include English version. Let's take a look:

1. Estatpropi (Our State), is an online campaign that wants to gather surfers living in the Catalan Territory. For everyone who joins it, there is a Catalan Flag that is displayed in the exact location where he resides, in a Catalonia's Google Map. The purpose is to have a flag-based Catalonia's Map. Those interested in the campaign, do not hesitate to enter here.

2. Freecatalonia (No translation needed, of course), is an activist website that focus his attention in provide historical, social, cultural, economic, and of course, political information about Catalan Nation and Fight dor Independence. One of their most influence and impact activities is the tourist-adressed information campaign, that wants the milions of Tourists that every year visit us, to be informed about where they travel. More information, here.

3. Comissió de la Dignitat (Blood Papers Commission), another activist website that focus in the retrieval of all Catalan public and private records and papers stolen by Spanish Francoist Army since 1938. Not few of this documentation was used by Spanish Fascists to repress Catalan Democratic and National movement and elements, including imposing death penalties. Following, literally, Nazi methods they elaborated a data base for the repression. The current citizen and online campaign wants bring back all the papers stolen to their legitimate owners (including private letters between soldiers in duty at front and their relatives at home). To Know more, enter here.

4. Second Catalonia, is one of the growing examples of the Catalan colonization of Second Life 3D Virtual World. Just take a walk or join a Catalan SL Group, to know more about our Culture, Art, Design, and of course, about our people. You can also become owner of some portion of Second Catalonia Land. Don't miss the oportunity!

Two more cases: .Cat and Eric and the Army of the Phoenix
However, in recent times, two cases have focused the Catalan Independentist Cause in Internet.

One was the most important Catalan initiative developed in the Internet: the Campaing for the recognition by ICANN of .cat domain. The second, a case of political repression by Spanish police and courts known as Eric and the Army of the Phoenix case.

a) After defeating the Spanish opposition, ICANN Board accepted .cat domain, to be reserved to webs related to Catalan culture and Language (not to Catalonia as a Country). The starting date to register .cat domain was February, 13th, 2006. Currently there are 25.901 .cat domains. It is the biggest success in our digital history, and an example to other non-state nations. Even foreign researchers were interested in it.

b) Èric Bertran, in 2004, was a 14 years old kid, that sent an anonymous email to three shops, asking for Catalan labels and signals. He did so pretending to be the headmaster of the Army of the Phoenix (in an obvious inspiration in Harry Poter's saga). A few days later, 20 Spanish Civil Guards anti-terrorist SWAT elements stormed his parents home, and accused Eric of terrorist activities. This was the beginning of a nightmare for Eric and his relatives. A nightmare that now has reach an international dimension and impact thanks to You Tube. This case is a clear-cut example of Spanish police and justice paranoia towards Catalan Patriots. To put only an example, a Public Prosecutor said that Eric was mentally incapacitated, because he considers himself as Catalan national, not Spanish. To know more, watch the videos dubbed in English (1,2,3,4,5).

2007-12-07T17:30:00.000+01:00

A GROWING HYSTERICAL MOOD

A recent poll shows that a majority of Spanish citizens approve a State Pact between the two main political parties (PSOE and PP) in order to diminish the current weight of nationalist and independentists parties in the Spanish political system.

The central element of this Pact will be a new electoral law that probably will include measures such a new spanish-wide threshold, in order to eliminate from the distribution of seats those lists with less than 5% of the vote legally cast. Currently there is a constituency level threshold of 3%.

In last spanish elections, minor parties show the following results:

Izquierda Unida (Unite Left, including Spanish Communist Party), 4,96%
Convergència i Unió (Convergence and Union, Catalan Nationalists), 3,23%
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (Republican Left of Catalonia, Independentists), 2,52%
Euzko Alderdi Jeltzalea (Basque Nationalist Party), 1.63%
Coalición Canaria (Canary Coalition, regionalists), 0,91%
Bloque Nacionalista Galego (Galician National Bloc, nationalists), 0,81%
Chunta Aragonesista (Aragonese Junta, regionalists), 0.36%
Eusko Alkartasuna (Basque Solidarity, Independentists), 0.31%
Nafarroa Bai (Navarra Yes, Navarrese Pro-Basque List), 0,24%

Together they obtained 38 seats out of 350 at Congreso de los Diputados (Lower House of Spanish Cortes Generales). If, in 2004 the 5% Spanish-wide electoral threshold was enacted, then all these parties would have obtained no representation at all. As a consequence, only two parties were represented (Socialist and Popular parties) in the Lower House. Such a simplification of the political scenario would imply the negation of national, cultural, and linguistic complexity existing in the current Spanish State.

As a consequence, Spanish nationalism, the quintaessencial representant of, in Michael Billig's terms, banal nationalism, will be the only represented at the Lower House, since both main Spanish parties, are strong committed to defend a mononational vision of the Spanish state.

Of course, that is unacceptable, and will imply the polarization of national question issue in one of the European Union states, since either Catalans nor other nationalists and independentists under the Spanish rule will give up our Fight for Freedom and Independence. The example of other nations that have accessed to independence will guide us.

As the political say goes, there is nothing that ressembles more to a Rightist Spanish militant than a Leftist Spanish militant. One prefers a Red Spain than a broken one. The other prefers a Blue Spain (like Francoist regime's) than a broken one.

No doubt about that.

2007-12-02T13:56:00.000+01:00

OUR PEOPLE, OUR STRENGTH

Catalonia deserves Independence. It's an every day more accepted demand. The idea of Independence seems quiet normal nowadays. On December 1st, thousands of people took Catalonia's capital streets, Barcelona, in order to demonstrate. We demanded our right to manage our own infrastructures (railways, airports, highways, sea ports) in accordance with citizens needs. We want to be masters of our future. We want to decide our own politics and policies, not being subordinated to Spanish politicians with an agenda that places Catalonia not at the top, but as a secondary rank, even though, Catalonia is a net contributor to Spanish public finances.

This blog will inform to English readers about the progress of Catalonia progress towards Independence. Unfortunately, most of Catalan Independentists webs do not include links in English in order to translate its content. I think that's bad, because English readers from all over de world that do not read Catalan, are deprived of sensible information about our fight. Even worst, they are misinformed by Spanish media, or by Spanish Foreign Services, both of them strongly committed to the political, economic and cultural subordination of Catalonia.

From time to time we will post news related to public and private initiatives in order to empower Catalonia's demand for Self-determination and Independence. In this sense, it is worth to mention that there is a trend that is gaining support in order to fix a date to celebrate a kind of Referendum on Catalonia's future. The chosen data, but not officially yet, is September, 11th, 2014.

The reason to chose this day is symbolical. It was in September, 11th, 1714, that is three hundred years ago, that with the fall of Barcelona, Catalonia lost its Political Liberty, its political institutions, rights, and constitutions, some of them originated in the Medieval Age. Since then, the Spanish state, in its successive regimes (Monarchy, Republic or Dictatorship) has tried to assimilate us both culturally and linguistically, and to demote Catalonia to a provincial status (by the way, province, came from Latin language, and means defeated territory).

Right now, it is difficult to say if this referendum will be taken on that date. May be yes, or may be no. May be later, or may be sooner, if things precipitate. But one thing is crystal-clear established. Catalan people is assuming that the current subordination (economic, political, cultural) to Spain is a growing threat to our well-being and our identity. Independence, as a consequence, is not silly idea, it is a top need. It is a necessity if we want to face the challenges and risks that globalisation poses to all the nations.

We know that to battle for Catalonia Independence, only Catalans are prepared to. We expect no one will help us to carry out the stuff. But it is obvious that the International Community has a say in order to accept a new member. In this sense, our task will be to provide information to global media, news agencies, the blogosphere and the like. If the International Community receives such information, we have no doubt that our independence will be closer and closer. After all, most of the current states are the outcome of an Independence Process.

We also expect that this process will be developed in a democratic way, respecting Human Rights and according to International Law. Spain has a current low mark in issues such a Torture, Corruption, and Fair and Trustfully Justice, and a past history of military coups, dictatorship, and in fact is the only state where Fascism has not been defeated by military means. That has deep cultural and psychological consequences.

One of them is the rejection of diversity: a political culture rooted in homogeneity makes impossible the acceptance of a multilingual, multicultural Spain. From this perspective, Catalan language must be considered as a legal second-class language, even though, it is more spoken that official european languages, such as danish, slovene, among others.

Also, there is a rooted culture of fear in most families. Fear to express your opinion, to defend your rights and liberties, fear to take political stances... And that because the legacy of the Dictatorship is still living at home. A legacy that implies that to do politics, to express publicly will earn you problems, so better stay quiet, and obey authorities orders.

But as past generations of Catalan patriots, we don't fear to express ourselves. We are committed to the Catalan Independence, to found a Republic of Catalonia independent from Spain, and including all the Catalan-speaking territories. That is our end, and we wish that this vision of Liberty will be shared with each day more international observers. To this we will do our best.