Genera Strike

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The tempo of the long struggle against the Madrid government to secure national rights in Euskadi (the Basque country) has again quickened in the last ten days.

On September 1 a 16-year old militant was killed by the armed police during a demonstration in San Sebastion (in Guipuzcoa province).

The demonstration was in protest against recent moves made by the French government against exiled Basques in The radical nationalist forces associated with ETA (military) issued a call for a general strike for Monday September 3rd which was followed by the enormous majority of workers in the Basque provinces (especially Guipuzcoa and Biscay).

Such was the strenth of feeling among the masses that even the right wing nationalists of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) along with the Socialist Party (PSOE) and the CP were forced to join the pro-ETA forces (whom they normally revile) in calling for the immediate removal of the Madrid appointed civil governor of Guipuzcoa province.

The (PNV) head of the Basque General Council appealed to Madrid to "share" control of the forces of law and order now with "responsible" local political forces.

His desperate tone reflects growing fears within the Basque ruling class and their reformist and Stalinist friends that the boycott of the October 24th referendum, supported by the pro-ETA forces and various left-wing organisations, will be a success.

The referendum is to decide whether to accept the Statute for Basque "autonomy"

recently agreed between the Suarez regime in Madrid and the right-wing nationalist, reformist and Stalinist forces.

As we go to press, reports of continued mass demonstratiohs, and clashes with the armed police indicate that the Statute-a mockery of selfdetermination-has not had the anaesthetic effect it was intended to have on the national