Two Basque Nationalist Youth Organizations Merge to Create Haika

MPZ. Baiona, Euskal Herria. April 25, 2000
Over 20,000 youths last week participated in a three-day camping Gazte Topagunea in Kanbo (Canbo-les-Bains), the annual congress of the two Basque nationalist youth organizations, the French Basque Gasteriak (The young ones) and the Spanish Basque Jarrai (Continuing). The two organizations merged to create a new common organization whose name was unveiled Sunday at the end of the congress.

"Today, at this moment in which Euskal Herria is at the gates of the XXI century, Haika, the pro-independence and revolutionary youth organization of Euskal Herria sets out" said Haika member Amaia Rekarte who read the organization's political manifest.

"Haika is born at a very special time in which Euskal Herria is on the road to sovereignty. More than ever is evident today that the achievement of democracy in Euskal Herria resides in the activation of our strengths. Without asking Paris and Madrid, we will face every type of imposition and will take to the end the construction of our nation."

According to its leaders, Haika is the first national Basque organization. "The challenge will be to work together from the different realities in which the youths of the six provinces find themselves," said Haika member Igor Ortega who hopes that this merging will encourage other Basque organizations to take similar steps.

Haika member Amaia Rekarte said the new youth organization is born out of the project of nation-building, and its bases are pro-independence, socialist, revolutionary and internationalist. Rekarte invited the Basque youth to take part in the project.

In a communique recorded and broadcast during the presentation of the new organization, a male voice said that ETA "wants to encourage these youths who are the offspring of the patriotic movement" and are "also fighting for the independence of the Euskal Herria."