Assessment for Basques in France

Risk Assessment | Analytic Summary | References

Risk Assessment

The risk of rebellion by French Basques is likely to be substantially influenced by what happens in Spain. When the Basques in Spain slow down their terrorist activities, the same occurs in France, and it seems that terrorist acts committed in France are often, if not always, bolstered by Spanish activists. ETA activists continue to take refuge among welcoming kindred on the French side of the border. Large quantities of weapons and explosives discovered periodically by French police seem to indicate that at least a small group of separatists is willing to continue fighting for independence, and the recent threat directed towards soccer player Bixente Lizarazu show the attempts of separatists to put their causes on the front page of newspapers.

Analytic Summary

The Basques in France comprise a very small proportion of the country's population and mainly inhabit rural inland areas of southwestern France (known in Basque as Iparralde) (GROUPCON = 3), the northernmost part of the Basques' historical homeland (TRADITN = 1). Unlike their Spanish kindred, the Basques of France are more assimilated into French society. Relatively few of them speak Euskera (LANG = 3) and they lack other traits - aside from a sense of collective identity - that distinguish them from the dominant group. Also, unlike the Basques in Spain, French Basques are not highly cohesive (COHESX9 = 4) nor is there consensus on group objectives.

The group has no demographic disadvantages (DEMSTR03 = 0) and is subject to no political restrictions (POLDIS03 = 0). Most French Basques reside in poor, predominantly rural areas and suffer from the effects of economic marginalization, although some remedial policies are in place (ECDIS03 = 1). The Basques face some restrictions on the use of their language. The French government has always been concerned with the promotion of French throughout the country and until the 1980s did not provide support for any instruction in Euskera. Repressive acts by the French government have been directed not at French Basques but at Basque militants from Spain who have sought shelter in France.

As mentioned, the Basques of France do not have a common political program other than recognition and protection of their language and culture. In part this would entail a loosening of the language laws and more opportunities for use of their language. Where disagreement lies is in the level of autonomy the group seeks and the means to obtain it. A few advocate a separate Basque state (SEPX = 3), which would entail unification of Basques in both Spain and France. Others seek enough political autonomy to protect and promote group culture. And still others, perhaps the majority, appear disinterested in the autonomy issue.

Moderates tend to support the various conventional Basque political parties that form and reform before every election. Those who call for more militant action tend to support Iparretarrek, or the newly formed Haika- a coalition of some members of Iparretarrek and a Spanish-based Basque youth group. The latter groups have been involved in harboring Basques from Spain, stockpiling weapons, and other limited acts of rebellion (REB01-03 = 1), which has been the general strategy of militant members of the group since the late 1970s and early 1980s (REBEL80X = 2). Efforts at political mobilization have been underway since the 1970s (PROTX70 = 1), increasing during the 1990s (PROTX90 = 3) and then abating somewhat (PROT01-02 = 2).

References

Jacob, James E. Hills of Conflict: Basque Nationalism in France Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1994.

Minorities at Risk: Phase I Summary.

Lexis-Nexis news reports, 1990-2003.