SELECT A PUBLICATION FOR THE LATEST SPANISH LANGUAGE NEWS FROM SPAIN

NEWS REVIEW
9 - 13 August, 1996

The "Las Nieves" campsite, which was devastated by a flashflood last week, was located in a site specifically forbidden by law for these types of facilities. All three consecutive regulations on camping (1982, 1984 and 1990) forbids this types of facility from being sited on "terrain located on a dry river bed, close to river torrents, or in a property which is at risk of flooding". In spite of this, Isabel Tocino, Secretary of Environment stated yesterday, after visiting the area of the disaster, that the camp "fitted all the requirements". In the meantime, Francisco Alvarez Cascos, vice-president of the government, affirmed that this was not the moment to "speculate about the causes of the catastrophe". The rescue crew, which continued with their work yesterday, have recovered more bodies at a distance of 15 Km from Biescas.

Manuel Pimentel, the Minister of Labour has stated that the decrease in the unemployment figure produced during July as "very positive", affirming that "we have been successful in controlling the brutal crisis on employment which took place at the end of 1992 and 1993". He also announced that by the end of this year, there will be 160.000 to 190.000 less unemployed citizens in Spain. Pimentel, who analysed the unemployment data during a press conference, emphasised that the drop in unemployment figures at a rate of 2.000 people daily during July as well as the record in hiring, 832.473 positions filled, places the country in the same position it was in at the beginning of 1992, when events like the Olympics in Barcelona and the Expo in Seville allowed a substantial growth in the employment rate.

The archbishop of Pamplona and Vice-president of the Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Fernando Sebastián Aguilar, stated yesterday that one of the essential conditions for a conversation with ETA is to accomplish a "loyal renunciation by both parties to the use of violence". The Vice-president of the Episcopal Conference, who participated in a workshop organised by the Complutense University in El Escorial, affirmed that the Church is in favour of looking into "human means of getting closer" in the intent to put an end to terrorism, but always counting on the relinquishment of violent resources. He added that "while you are acting violently against the rights of other people, you can't try to talk to them".

Cipria Ciscar, Organisation Secretary of the PSOE, stated that "during its first 100 days, this Government has proved to be the least autonomous since 1977". He considered that the dependence of the Government on economic and other controlling powers is the most alarming symptom during the first 100 days of administration by the Executive presided by Jose Maria Aznar. In a conversation with EL MUNDO, the "number 3" in the socialist bureau made a review of the first steps taken by the new cabinet. He expressed his view that it is the least independent government since 1977 and it is also the least autonomous during the whole democratic period.

The Spanish Home Office will decide next week the fate of the fifteen African immigrants who are interned at the Madrid Airport. They could face deportation to Ecuatorial Guinea or internment in a Centre for the Internment of Foreigners (CIE), this is the course of action a parliamentary commission has requested through a petition filed yesterday. Gloria Bodelon, Director of Interior Policies, stated yesterday that her office is analysing this possibility under the frame of the Asylum Bill. This means that the immigrants will stay at least until next Monday at the non-admitted visitors facility in Barajas, where they were placed when entering the country last July 21.

The Armed Forces from Spain will continue their assignment in Bosnia after December 20 when the mandated term of NATO in the ex-Yugoslavian republic will expire, but the number of troops will be reduced by 25%. This decision was already made by the Government of Jose Maria Aznar, which is willing to extend the deployment of the "Almogávares" brigade in the Mostar region, one of the most important in Bosnia Herzegovina, in order to not put at risk the already precarious peace process in this area.

A new communication system has been announced by Telefonica which will allow people to converse directly by computers. Any person who places a telephone call will be able to converse directly with a computer, using the new services offered by Telefonica Research and Development (I+D), which has been developed the service based on the results obtained from studies on human voice. Ismael Cortazar, manager of the Department of Voice Treatment at Telefónica I+D, explained that these new services, such as information broadcasting, call routing or automatic charges, have not been 100% developed yet , due to the fact that computers still don't have enough memory. Cortazar also stated that Telefonica I+D, after twenty years of investigation on voice technology, can now market services that benefit all their customers, especially those with physical disabilities.

The Judicial Power General Council (CGPJ) will support the video-surveillance by the police, but will request more guarantees so constitutional rights will also be protected. They have analysed the first two draft bills The Commission of Studies of the CGPJ, which has drafted reports on both initiatives, agrees with the critical reviews already expressed. However, the regulation of police surveillance through the use of video-cameras, has been positively evaluated, with some changes focusing on the guarantees to protect fundamental rights.

A report from the executive branch of the government emphasises that Spaniards are satisfied with the administration of Jose Maria Aznar. In a draft document evaluating their first 100 days in Government, the administration expressed the accomplishments during this period as "highly positive", pointing out that the Spaniards are satisfied with the "existence of an executive power which is actually governing", according to Jose Maria Michavila, Secretary of Relations with the Courts. One of the future bills to be presented shortly is on the Official Secrets Act.

The ex-minister Matilde Fernandez a member of the Federal Executive of PSOE, stated yesterday that in the course of the General Congress the party will celebrate during next year, "It will be very healthy to debate the replacement of Felipe Gonzalez as Secretary General of the Party as long as he considers himself the socialist candidate for the next presidential elections".

The funerals for the victims of the "Las Nieves" campsite tragedy that took place yesterday in Zaragoza (Monday 12th August). Some say that a humanbeing can endure anything, the relatives of the victims and the rescue crews are now at the limit of their strength. The families of four women and two children who are still missing six days since the brutal drama are unable to hold their anguish any longer. They walk around the enormous and sad pavilion of death that has become of the once joyous Palace of Ice of Jaca, going from list to list, reading them anxiously over and over again, holding their breath, looking at page after page containing the names, and praying that the names of their missing relatives will not be found on the lists.

The government will decrease by 25.000 the number of illegal immigrants eligible to apply for legalisation. Since April 23 when "The process of documentation of illegal foreigners" began, almost 14.000 illegal immigrants have applied for the documentation. However, the National Department of Immigration had anticipated a total of 50.000 to 60.000 residence permits being granted before September. The deadline to file applications is August 23.

The PNV failed in their intention to make Ajuria Enea condemn the decisions of the government and judges. At their meeting, celebrated yesterday in Vitoria, they proved that the distances between parties were only increasing and insisted on their respective point of view regarding General Enrique Rodriguez Galindo's freedom and the decision of the Executive Government to declassify the documents related to CESID. The PNV, which requested the meeting of the Council, could not get the Pact of Ajuria Enea to condemn the decision adopted by the Executive Government and the Judicial Power, due to the strong opposition of the PP and the PSOE. In view of the new situation, Mayor Orejas has asked all the parties involved not to "lose their path".

Judge Gomez de Liaño questioned General Rodriguez Galindo during his testimony on the Lasa and Zabala case, specifically about receiving any instructions to negotiate with ETA. Besides questions related to the security identities that the Home Office facilitated to the former General in Chief of the Inchaurrondo Headquarters, the Judge also wanted to know if Galindo made any kind of contact with the etarrean leader "Txomin" and if he informed former minister Barrionuevo about those contacts. Answering these questions, the General flatly denied having obtained any special retribution for these tasks. He stated that these actions would have been "completely dishonourable and disgraceful", and to be "completely outside" of any GAL activity.

The Civil Guards Enrique Dorado Villalobos and Felipe Bayo, convicted in the Lasa-Zabala case, have made a public statement protesting the treatment they receive at the Correction facility of Alcala-Meco, where they are serving their sentences. Felipe Bayo, who was admitted to the prison hospital ward after a suicide attempt with a razor blade, was taken back to his cell yesterday, located in the same wing where Enrique Dorado is also serving his sentence. In their brief, they have accused Mr. Jesus Calvo, director of the correctional facility, of interviewing them with the excuse of "getting to know the elite prisoners" when in reality he was questioning them in order to learn about their relationship with Barrionuevo, Vera or San Cristóbal.

Aleix Vidal-Quadras received the first sign of support from the Catalonian PP after a controversial conference. Jorge Trias Sagnier, the PP representative at the Parliament, defended the continuity of Vidal-Quadras in his position as chairman of the Popular Party in Catalonia, and also bid for his re-election as President during the VIII Congress to be celebrated at the end of September. Trias Sagnier, who considers that Vidal-Quadras has the support of all the members of the party, advised him, however, to restrain his anti-nationalist speech.

His Majesty, King Juan Carlos, had an audience with Lieutenant General Santiago Valderas Cañestro, the new chief of the Defence General Staff, at the Palace of Miravent in Palma de Mallorca. It is the first interview with the Monarch and the new Officer, who was appointed during July in place of Lt. General. Jose Rodrigo.

The Anti-Fraud unit of the European Commission is discretely surveying the suspected irregularities in the awarding and construction of the works for TAV (AVE) high speed train, The European Commission is in close contact with them, but so far, they have not detected any misuse of funds from their offices in Brussels.

Yesterday early morning, a pro-etarrean group set fire to two automobiles owned by Asunción Apesteguia, deputy of the PSN-PSOE. The cars were reduced to ashes. Also, in the Navarean Capital, a petrol bomb was ignited near an Automated Teller Machine. Also a vehicle of an ertzaina member was burned in Astigarra (Guipuzcoa). The seven individuals who have been detained in connection with the disturbances that took place during June and August have finally been released from prison.