The terror campaign waged by Basque separatists continues. Last week, a car bomb in Madrid killed three people, including a supreme court judge, and wounded 70 others. A few days later, another bomb went off in Barcelona; fortunately, no one was killed when it exploded, although several people were injured. The Spanish government has vowed not to give in to the separatist demands. It should not. The Basque region enjoys prosperity and autonomy. Only a small group of extremists wants more than that, and its willingness to target Basque moderates is the proof that they, not the government in Madrid, are the villains in this situation.
The ETA, Basque Homeland and Freedom movement, resumed its terrorist campaign at the beginning of the year after a 14-month ceasefire. During that period, the ETA negotiated with the government, but Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's refusal to discuss the ETA demand for independence for the Basque region gave the ETA the excuse it needed to break off the talks.
The deaths of Judge Jose Francisco Querol Lombardero, his driver and his bodyguard brought the number of ETA victims for the year to 19. Last month, the group killed a prosecutor, a military doctor and a prison officer. They may look like "military targets," but the truth is otherwise. The group is increasingly ready to target anyone who disagrees with its methods, including Basque moderates. The method of the most recent attack -- a remote-control blast at one of Madrid's busiest intersections at rush hour -- was further proof of the ETA's callous disregard for human life. The blast set fire to a crowded bus and injured 60 other people.