[Assam] Assam and India should take a leaf from a European democracy in resolving the confict between the TWO nations.

[Bartta Bistar]

Catalan bid for 'sovereignty'



http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2882397.stm
*

Catalonia's governing nationalist coalition has published a proposal for the
region to obtain sovereignty while remaining part of Spain.
*

The draft statute on autonomy is part of the coalition's campaign for
re-election in October.

It is expected to be matched in the coming weeks by the rival Socialist
Party.

The Socialists do not use the word "sovereignty" but correspondents say that
they have similar ambitions - including a desire to wring more money from
central government.

Unlike Catalonia's third-largest party, Esquerra Republicana, neither group
seeks independence.

The proposal from the nationalist Convergence and Union (CiU) coalition,
which has been in power for 23 years, calls for:

sovereignty

increased tax-raising powers

direct Catalan representation at EU level

Catalan representation in international sporting competitions

obligatory knowledge of Catalan language for all people living in the region


At the same time, it recognises that the Spanish state is Catalonia's
"framework of political organisation".
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Basque 'free association'
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The Madrid-based national daily newspaper El Pais said on Monday that the
proposal goes beyond what the Spanish constitution permits.

The national governing Popular Party dismissed it as "electioneering", as
did the Socialist Party - despite the fact that its Catalonian sister party
is developing an analogous plan.

The Catalonian election in October will be followed by a national election
next spring.

The proposal from the nationalists echoes a call by Basque leaders in
September for free association between the Basque region and Spain.

The Basque regional parliament is scheduled to debate the plan by the end of
the year.

The Basque region, and neighbouring Navarra, have long raised all their own
taxes, and agreed with Madrid on the sum to be sent to central government
coffers.

The Catalan nationalists are seeking the same arrangement.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/2882397.stm

Published: 2003/03/24 20:21:57 GMT







Spain MPs back Catalonia autonomy *Spain's parliament has approved a
definitive version of a plan for greater independence for the north-eastern
region of Catalonia.
*

The statute was passed by 189-154 votes with opposition from the
conservative Popular Party and Catalan separatists.

The PP said it threatened Spain, while the Catalan republican left (ERC)
said it did not go far enough.

The charter will now pass to the Senate before going to the Catalan
parliament and a public vote in the region.
*

Independence
*

Correspondents say the progress of this autonomy plan is thought to have
influenced the ceasefire announced by the armed Basque separatists Eta.

Supporters see it as evidence of how the constitution can satisfy separatist
demands through political negotiation.

Now that the plan been approved, the measures - including more local Catalan
control over finances and the judiciary - are technically available to every
other Spanish region.

The dialogue with the national government that has allowed the plan to
prosper stands in contrast to the long history of violent struggle in the
Basque region, says the BBC's Danny Wood.
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Key wording
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The Eta ceasefire announcement came just days after Spain's constitutional
commission approved the use of the word "nation" in the preamble to
Catalonia's autonomy document.

The word "nation" is held very dear by separatists all over Spain.

But the Catalan plan also has strong opposition. Detractors say it goes too
far and will cause the break-up of the Spanish state.

The PP has already tried to stop the plan by filing a legal suit in Spain's
constitutional court.

The Catalan people are expected to have the opportunity to vote on a final
document in June.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/europe/4860244.stm

Published: 2006/03/30 14:40:23 GMT

Spain approves Catalonia autonomy *Spain's parliament has approved proposals
to grant greater autonomy to the north-eastern region of Catalonia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4398702.stm
*

Under the proposals, the affluent region would be called a nation and given
the right to control taxation and change laws passed by parliament.

The plan passed its first reading by 197 votes to 146, but has to be amended
to comply with Spain's constitution.

It has divided the ruling Socialist Party and infuriated conservatives, who
say it will cause Spain to break up.

The BBC's Danny Wood in Madrid says many Spaniards see the Catalan plan as
the strongest test their democratic political system has had to face.

A Basque independence plan was overwhelmingly rejected by the national
parliament as anti-constitutional, earlier this year.
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National 'entity'
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Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the vote on the latest
proposals meant "Yes" to the Catalan reforms and "Yes" to ensuring they
comply with the Spanish constitution.

He wants amendments to the financial and judicial parts of the plan and says
the word "nation" must be changed to "national entity".

But the prime minister's ability to make changes is limited by his minority
government's dependence on the support of two Catalonian parties.

The leader of the opposition, Mariano Rajoy, questioned how the proposal
could be approved when such important elements have to be modified.

Catalan politician Josep Lluis Carod Rovira accused the conservative Popular
Party of Catalonia-phobia. Other Catalan MPs insist the autonomy proposal is
about bringing their region into the 21st century and improving conditions
for their language, their people and their economy.

The slogan of the regional government in Barcelona, which has already backed
the proposals, is "times change, so change the statute".
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'Independence'
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Our correspondent says the Catalans want more tax revenue, to reflect an
increased population, and more say over what happens to that money - for
example, where it is spent in education.

It also demands more control over ports, airports and immigration.

One Catalan MP told the BBC the statute represents the "first step to a full
reform of the state".

She said her party the republican left (ERC) hopes it is the first step
towards independence.

Critics say that increasing the limited autonomy that the region was given
in 1978, after the death of General Francisco Franco, will encourage other
regions to press for more powers - especially in the Basque Country.

A final vote on the changes may take several months.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/europe/4398702.stm

Published: 2005/11/03 10:50:18 GMT
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