Dawn

Dawn

Monday, December 10, 2007

The President of the Galician government is currently in Cuba, where he attended a major celebration of the 100th anniversary of our ‘national’ anthem. It’s to be hoped he leaves before Thursday, when Spain’s National Court decides whether or not to prosecute Fidel Castro for the murder of several people involved in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion attempt in 1961, a mere 46 years ago. I guess this on the same basis as the prosecution of Chile’s General Pinochet but I suspect many people here could come up with candidates closer to home. Possibly even within the same time span.

Talking of dictators – Has anyone else noticed that neither Castro, Gaddafi, Mugabe nor the King of Saudi Arabia has a single white hair in his hair or beard, despite being in their 70’s or 80s? Must be a good life.

As Kosovo heads towards independence, Spain has said she won’t recognise this, even if France, Germany et al do so. If you're confused as to why, think Cataluña, the Basque Country and even Galicia. The question arises of how Spain will react to the break-up of Belgium into separate Walloon and Flemish states. In exactly the same way, is my guess.

Meanwhile, on our domestic political front, it’s become clear the opposition right-wing party has decided the key to success in next March’s general election is to appeal to the centre. After several years of strident confrontation with the government on every imaginable issue, they may well have left this a little late. Though a week, as they say, is a long time in politics. Vamos a ver.

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