Dirty War, Clean Hands

Description

Spain’s transition from the Franco dictatorship to a democratic state has been widely regarded as exemplary. However, this powerfully written book reveals that as Spain’s first post-transition government attempted to destroy the Basque separatist group ETA, it adopted the very policies of indiscriminate terror that had characterized Franco’s authoritarian regime and ETA’s own strategy. Furthermore, the anti-terrorist liberation group GAL was organized and secretly funded by the government. For this paperback edition the text has been revised and thoroughly updated. “A balanced, finely documented tale of how easily democratic institutions can run off the rails.”—Rod Usher, Time Magazine “A complex and disturbing story magisterially deconstructed and retold . . . One of the most important books about post-Franco Spain ever published.”—Paul Preston, Irish Times “[Woodworth’s] writing has edge as well as elegance . . . [A] scholarly and superbly told story . . . all the hallmarks of a classic.”—Eoghan Harris, Sunday Times “A brilliant piece of investigative journalism that deserves to be read … Having mastered the labyrinth of evidence and conflicting conspiracy theories [Woodworth] takes us on a thrilling and sometimes gruesome narrative journey.”—Sebastian Balfour, Times Literary Supplement CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Map of GAL Attacks in Basque Country Map of GAL Attacks in Bayonne Prologue: the view from a Basque balcony PART I: An Ancient People, A Modern Conflict 1.'0nly 5,000 Years Ago' 2. Boys Become Giant-Killers 3. The First Dirty War PART II: A Dirty War Run by Democrats 4. Clean Hands in Govemment 5. Fear Crosses the Border 6. Under Siege in the Sanctuary 7. ETA Between Two Fires 8. Bombing Biarritz 9. A Revolutionary Doctor 10. A Black Lady Stalks the Bars 11. Massacre at the Monbar 12. Shooting Women and Children Too 13. The GAL's War is Over PART III Placing Blame: Investigating the Investigators 14. Grounds for Suspicion 15. Protecting Senor X 16. State Terrorism in the Dock 17. Recollections in Tranquillity 18. A Cascade of Confessions 19. Old Bones Tell Their Story 20. Who's Cheating Who? 21. The Paper Chase 22. A Divided Democracy 23. A Minister in the Dock: justice for Segundo Marey? 24. Judgement and Response : Barrionuevo in jail, Socialists in denial PART IV Conclusions : Cleaning Up Mter a Dirty War 25 .Waking from the Nightmare : what the GAL tells us about Spanish democracy Epilogue Chronology of GAL Attacks Chronology of GAL Investigations Segundo Marey, BatxokiJConsolation and Lasa/Zabala investigations Some Notes on the Spanish Constitution, Judiciary and Legal System Glossary Bibliography