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Violent Xenophobia. Arias' statement apparently touched a nerve of the Spanish psyche that has been highly responsive for centuries: a conviction that Spain is different from the rest of Europe and that Europe resents this. As TIME'S Madrid bureau chief Gavin Scott reports, many Spaniards see their country as being attacked from abroad simply because it is determined to "follow its own road." Some of the banners at the mass rally mirrored this feeling: "When will Europe stop envying Spain?" asked one. Another crudely depicted a Spaniard defecating on a map of Europe.
At times last week this xenophobia became violent. While Franco addressed the rally, gangs of rightist youths roamed Madrid's streets, roughing up foreigners. Windows were smashed at the posh Castellana Hotel, apparently for no reason other than that the main entrance was flanked by poles flying foreign flags. The U.S., which did not join in the international denunciations, was pointedly spared such treatment. One group of young Franco supporters paused during a march in Madrid's diplomatic quarter to shake hands with the machine-gun-toting Spanish policemen guarding the U.S. embassy.
In fact, the U.S. found itself in an uncomfortable position. The executions occurred just as Secretary of State Henry
Kissinger was about to sit down with Spanish Foreign Minister Pedro Cortina Mauri in New York to continue negotiations for a new "friendship and cooperation" agreement between the two countries. At stake for the U.S. are its three Spanish airbases, which would be needed if the U.S. had to resupply Israel or counter Soviet intervention in the event of another Middle East war, and its nuclear submarine base at Rota. These installations, argue American officials, will also give Washington leverage in influencing Spain's transition to the post-Franco era. For Spain, the accord means about $750 million in military and economic aid, plus what Madrid sees as the implication of acceptance that goes with a military arrangement with the U.S.
When Washington did finally issue a statement on the executions, it was carefully phrased to refer to the acts by the terrorists as well as the death sentences, expressing regret at "the cycle of violence that led to this tragic out come." U.S. officials pointedly and persuasively note that those executed were shot not for political or ideological "crimes" but because they had cold bloodedly killed policemen. To be sure, the hasty trial they received in Spain's military courts scarcely qualifies as justice according to Anglo-American standards. Yet, the terrorist organizations to which they belonged have openly declared their aim to harass the Franco government by killing police officials.
This is a policy that would surely not be tolerated by any European country.
Expressing a sentiment that ought to be valid for all European states, an East bloc diplomat last week observed:
"Communist countries don't like cop killers, no matter what their politics."