Dirty Wars, Clean Hands: ETA, the GAL, and Spanish Democracy [Hardcover]

Paddy Woodworth (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1859182763 | ISBN-13: 978-1859182765 | Publication Date: June 2001

"Democracy is defended in the sewers as well as in the salons". This is how Spanish prime minister Felipe González responded to allegations that his government was fighting the Basque separatist group ETA with its own methods: indiscriminate terrorism. shooting up crowded bars, bombing busy streets, torturing kidnap victims. For three years the GAL (Anti-terrorist Liberation Groups), created mayhem in the French Basque Country, where ETA had its "sanctuary".

In 1986, the French government began to hand over ETA suspects to the Spanish police in large numbers and the GAL campaign stopped. But this "dirty war" had already created widespread support for ETA among the first generation of Basques to grow up under democracy, and its consequences reverberate to this day. The GAL's links to the Spanish security forces, and finally to González's own cabinet, have been revealed, despite all the resources of 'State secrecy', by controversial magistrates like Baltasar Garzón.

Over the last 15 years, the GAL scandal has fatally undermined González's reputation as a democrat and EU statesman and raised fundamental questions about Spain's much-praised transition to democracy. The GAL investigations have stretched the relationship between government and judiciary to breaking point, and sent ministers and generals to prison. González himself may still face charges.

Paddy Woodworth, who has covered Spain for the "Irish Times" and other media since the 1970s, has interviewed both the GAL's surviving victims and the GAL's leading protagonists. He has followed the investigations in the Spanish media and courts for many years. The result is a unique and dramatic narrative and analysis of what happens when a democratic administration fights fire with fire.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(A) RACILY WRITTEN AND METICULOUSLY RESEARCHED STUDY -- The Daily Telegraph, June 2, 2001

(A) SCHOLARLY AND SUPERBLY TOLD STORY ... ALL THE HALLMARKS OF A CLASSIC -- Sunday Times, April 22, 2001

DIRTY WAR, CLEAN HANDS IS CRUCIAL FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN IBREIAN POLITICS, TERRORISM OR COUNTER-TERRORISM -- The London Independent, May 14, 2001

DIRTY WAR, CLEAN HANDS is a balanced, finely documented tale of how easily democratic institutions can run off the rails -- Time Magazine, May 14, 2001

Paddy Woodworth has written the definitive study of ... Spains Dirty War -- The Sunday Tribune, April 22, 2001

About the Author

Paddy Woodworth is currently assistant foreign desk editor at the Irish Times with responsibility for developing Spanish and Latin American coverage.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 350 pages
• Publisher: Cork University Press (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859182763
• ISBN-13: 978-1859182765
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #911,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY: STATE TERRORISM, September 5, 2001

By 

"pjoiarzabal" (University off Nevada, Reno) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dirty Wars, Clean Hands: ETA, the GAL, and Spanish Democracy (Hardcover)

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, Reno, NV September 2001

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well documented, mind-boggling, and outright SCARY!, January 13, 2002

By 

Bryan (Greensboro, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dirty Wars, Clean Hands: ETA, the GAL, and Spanish Democracy (Hardcover)

I have always thought that being a socialist meant that one placed the State above all else, which the people described in this true account do. But I've also always believed that being a socialist meant that one abhorred militarism, had little or no regard for luxuries that are connected to capitalism, and protected human rights at all costs. STUPID ME!!
Mr. Woodworth has very successfully shown that not only can a democratically elected government order people to commit horrible atrocities like what the GAL (Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberacion)did from 1983-87, but that they don't have to be right-wing, as most people associate state terrorism with right-wing governments.
As I read this book, I had to constantly remind myself that the social and political terrorists of Felipe Gonzalez's administration were supposedly leftist, anti-militaristic, equality minded advocates of human rights. These people (Felipe Gonzalez, Rafael Vera, and Jose Amedo in particular) made a mockery of everything that democracy stands for. They ruthlessly ordered the murders of Spanish and French citizens. Yes, some of those that the GAL killed were ETA members or sympathizers. But the number of innocent people that the GAL killed is higher than the number of actual ETA members and sympathizers that were targeted and/or killed. This book is scary to me because it shows that even in a supposed democracy, people can do horrible things to their fellow human beings.
Lastly, I'd like to make a point and pose a couple of questions. The fact that many of the members of the GAL were mercenaries (people who kill other people for money), other criminals, and POLICE OFFICERS shows how "socialist" the Spanish socialists really were. I'd like to ask why in the world Jose Amedo, who said he had wanted to kill every member of ETA, and Rafael Vera, were treated as well as they were during their trials? And what insane political excuse could prevent Felipe Gonzalez from being charged with anything? Even the prosecutor was helping the defense because he respected what the GAL did. Overall, this book is amazing and needed to be written.
Mr. Woodworth, I'd like to show my appreciation in all of the ways that apply to this book:
Gracias. Eskerrik asko. Thank you!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Analysis of a modern tragedy, July 21, 2001

By 

Sam Jones "RoninExec" (Enghien les Bains France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dirty Wars, Clean Hands: ETA, the GAL, and Spanish Democracy (Hardcover)

Being of Spanish origin, I had of course a special interest in Woodworth's book. His methodology is particularly well settled and easy to understand. Although he has the honesty of laying down right his position on terrorism, the rest, amazingly, seems at no point subjected to unilateral diatribe or personal interest. This book is an intelligent, user-friendly report on the whole story of ETA, Spanish democracy and personal tragedies. In the light of very recent events of ETA violence in Spain, the reader will find in this book all necessary material to further explain and describe the ETA terrorism actions. Very enlightning.