Product Description

Spain's transition from the Franco dictatorship to a democratic state has been widely regarded as exemplary. However, as modern court proceedings have exposed, the first post-transition government, in attempting to destroy the Basque separatist group ETA, adopted the very policies of indiscriminate terror which characterised both the Franco regime and ETA's own strategy. In this narrative, Woodworth disentangles a complex conspiracy through documentary evidence and first-hand interviews. He analyzes what happens when a democracy abandons the rule of law, showing how state terror has strengthened revolutionary terrorism and raising questions about post-Franco Spain.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #336253 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Paul Preston, Irish Times
"a complex and disturbing story magisterially deconstructed and retold ... One of the most important books about post-Franco Spain ever published."

Eoghan Harris, Sunday Times
"His writing has edge as well as elegance ... A scholarly and superbly told story ... all the hallmarks of a classic."

Sebastian Balfour, Times Literary Supplement
"a brilliant piece of investigative journalism that deserves to be read by more than just those interested in Spain.".

Customer Reviews

IS THE WAR OVER?
IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY: STATE TERRORISM

The Irish journalist Paddy Woodworth has written one of the most analytical, serious and well-documented books on State terrorism and its dreadful socio-political implications for a young and fragile Democracy as that of Spain. Implications which are still continuing to haunt the Spanish State since then. "Dirty War, Clean Hands: ETA, the GAL and Spanish Democracy" is an original and fascinating piece of journalism, providing profound and outstanding insights into one of the most complex issues confronted by a democratic State in Western Europe. With the precision and ability of a master surgeon, Woodworth analyses the implications and effects of the use of terrorist dead-squads (i.e., the so-called GAL, 'Anti-terrorist Liberation Groups') in the name of protecting Democracy by the Spanish State in its fight against ETA ('Basque Country and Freedom'). It is widely argued that these horrendous events resemble the worst years of Franco's dictatorship. Moreover, Woodworth assembles the pieces of an extremely complicated puzzle revealing a picture hidden in the 'shadow history' of Spain. A picture which reflects the following aspects of such episodes in history: 1. The disturbing, dramatic and terrifying events of the State death-squads execution of 27 innocents victims, while providing colourful insights into the social and political world of the Basque radical nationalist movement; 2. The investigation of those crimes by journalists and isolated judges in pursuit of truth, and 3. The detailed criminal trials of those involved with State terrorism and their intellectual instigators. These trials were surrounded by a net of thrilling conspiracies, newspapers intrigues and manipulations, cover-up manoeuvres and a highly polarised battle for power between the PSOE (i.e., 'Spanish Socialist Party') and the right-wing rival the PP ('Popular Party').

In the collective memory of Spain and the Basque Country, the 1980's State's terrorist events are still much alive. These events shook the basic institutions of the Spanish Democracy, reinforced ETA's appalling violence and strengthened its political alliances. Nevertheless, has Democracy and its 'State of Law' been re-established under the governing Popular Party?; Is the war over?. These questions still remain unanswered.

P. J. Oiarzabal Historian, BA, MA, MPhil, Belfast June 2001

Serious Book That Reads Like A Thriller.
Paddy Woodworth has not only produced a detailed history of Spain's dirty war, but a gripping story which keeps you page turning like a good thriller.

In short the Spanish government provoked by ETA inreasingly murderous campaign set up death squads know as GAL to kill ETA activists. Had this been done by the Franco regime no one would have been suprised, but in fact it happened after Spain had become a democratic state.

It is easy to understand why Spain's government went down this route. Spain's transformation into a democratic state and the granting limited home rule to the Basques did not mean that ETA ended it's campaign of violence but increased it. On average ETA was killing twenty times more people in the years following Franco's death than they did in the years before his end.

Given ETA's murderous actions we might even forgive the response of Madrid. However not only were many of those killed by GAL only loosely linked to the Basque armed group, many had no link at all. They were just in the wrong place or in the wrong file. Many of these murders were carried out in France which it is true, ETA treated as a safe haven. To imagine what it means for one democratic state to carry out killings in the territory of a friendly demcratic neighbour, just think what Britain's response would be if the French Government sent death squads over the channel to murder Breton or Corsican nationalists who were living in England.

The whole thing colapsed into maze of trials, newspaper stories, investigators and political manouvouring between Spain's political groups.

As I have said Mr Woodworth's skill is to tell a complex story in a clear fasion and to keep you turning the page. In the end I hope it is a moral story showing why democrats must not fall to the standards of the terrorists they fight. Terrorists we know kill innocent people, but we are entitled to expect higher standards from our elected governments than from a terrorist. In the end it does not work, groups like ETA need a political as well or instead as a military solution.

Dirty war clean hands

Thorough research and clear writing style have produced a non-fiction book which is as vivid as any thriller. Very relevant for now as the presidency of the EU is due to be decided upon.