Puigdemont Requests “Sincere Dialog”
Last week Rajoy gave Puigdemont a deadline of Monday to say whether or not he was declaring independence. The deadline went unanswered.
Instead, Puigdemont sent a letter to Rajoy seeking a sincere dialog, but it is a dialog that Rajoy will not accept.
Meanwhile, High Court Judge Carmen Lamela had to decide whether or not to grant the request of the public prosecutor to hold the chief of the Catalan police force, Josep Lluís Trapero, in prison without bail. Trapero appeared in Spain’s High Court in Madrid today for the second time, on charges of sedition.
At around 6.20pm, news broke that Trapero would not have to be held in custody, and was released under precautionary measures.
Letter to Rajoy
El Pais has the full text of the Letter to Rajoy, transcribed in English. The letter states that the Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra), is one of the most respected police forces in Europe, and police chief Trapero faithfully and rigorously fulfills its duty.
Here is the letter’s conclusion:
In this episode of repression, we have also seen, among of things, the violation of fundamental rights; the intervention with and freezing of bank accounts which prevents us from fulfilling our obligations to people who most need them; internet and media censorship; interference in private post; detention of public servants; brutal police violence against a peaceful population on October 1.
Our proposal of dialogue is sincere, in spite of all that has occurred, but logically it is not compatible with the current climate of threats and rising tension.
The second request is that we organize a meeting, as soon as possible, which will allow us to explore initial agreement. Let’s not allow this situation to deteriorate more. In good faith, recognizing and facing the problem head on, I am sure we can find a way towards a solution.
Yours sincerely,
Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó
Premier of the Generalitat of Catalonia
New Elections Coming
Since Rajoy will not hold a dialog, new elections are coming one way or another.
If Rajoy invokes article 155, elections will be by force. Puigdemont may also call for new elections. Also, the radical CUP party which is upset that Puigdemont has not already declared independence may pull support for Puigdemont which would end the fragile coalition, also resulting in new elections.
If Rajoy does invoke 155, the situation could get out of hand depending on how the Catalonia police force reacts to the resultant invasion of Catalonia by Spanish forces. Invasion is indeed the proper term.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Gee thanks for a tour of the obvious. Where is it that you tell us how being born in a certain location makes you property of someone who has legal authority to beat or kill you if you do not comply? I personally do not give anyone the right to do that. I signed no contract of bondage. Now, I live within the borders of the USA because I was born here naturally. Thus I have natural rights to exist here. Does that give someone legitimate right to make me do this or that? No. Still I do it because I understand that every thing the government says is backed up by a credible death threat. Now, there is a limit to what I will put up with. If they try to force me to do specific work that I don’t want to do or to live on a reservation or some other over the top crap well then it will be war. Not that I could win to be sure, but war all the same. And the government knows that enough people like me can do a lot of damage so they pretty much leave me alone except for their demand of taxes. I received a public school education from others so I am OK with paying that back in taxes.
Even if one is sympathetic to the pro-secession camp, framing this situation as an “invasion” is to put the cart before the horse.
I recommend reading the following post which clarifies the conceptual dilemma involved:
Catalonia: Folks Don’t Understand How Serious the Debate Over Sovereignty Is
https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2017/10/02/catalonia-folks-dont-understand-how-serious-the-debate-over-sovereignty-is/
And the following post, which provides some legal context for the means the secessionists have adopted in search of their end:
The Catalan Self-Determination Referendum Act: A New Legal Order in Europe
http://verfassungsblog.de/the-catalan-self-determination-referendum-act-a-new-legal-order-in-europe/
“Invasion” ?!
Rajoy has no intentions of recognizing Catalan independence, just as the EU has no intentions of acknowledging Brexit. The establishment must punish those that go against their rule, making them an example that no one would dare follow. Anti-establishment winners must move ahead knowing this fact.
Cataluña is still a part of Spain. Even Puigdemont can’t say if he has declared the independence or not. Then, how can you call an ‘invasion’ if the Spanish government send the Police there? I’m sure you don’t apply this term when the POTUS send federal forces to one Estate. For example when Kennedy sent the Marshals to fight the people and government of Mississippi, causing disturbs and several deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Miss_riot_of_1962