BBC News | EUROPE | Spanish journalist's killing condemned

Politicians and international campaigners for press freedom have strongly condemned Sunday's killing of a newspaper columnist in Spain's Basque country.

Jose Luis Lopez de la Calle was shot four times near his home in the town of Andaoin.

Jose Luis Lopez de la Calle

The journalist had already received threats

His killers escaped, but police had little doubt that ETA, the armed group fighting for an independent Basque region, was behind the attack.

Mr Lopez de la Calle, 63, was a regular contributor to Spain's El Mundo newspaper, which is known for its strong government support in the fight against ETA.

Outrage

His killing prompted international outrage - the European Union, journalists, Spain's Government, union leaders and politicians were quick to condemn the murder.

European Union foreign ministers issued a statement from their meeting in Portugal, saying the killing was a violation of democratic principles and freedom of expression.

No-one wins freedom over the dead bodies of journalists

IFJ General Secretary Aidan White
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar suspended private meetings in Morocco on the eve of an official visit there and sent a letter of condolence to Lopez de la Calle's wife and children, as did the Spanish royal family.

Interior Minister, Jaime Mayor Oreja, also visited Lopez de la Calle's family and accused those behind the shooting of being "totalitarians who don't believe in any way in peace and freedom."

Basque regional President Juan Jose Ibarretxe said it was "devastating and disheartening" to see Basque hopes for peace dashed. "ETA is going against the times," he said.

Demonstration

Spain has seen massive public protests against ETA violence

The Paris-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) also condemned the killing, while the international group, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), expressed "its great indignation" at what it described as an "a particularly cowardly act which represents a threat to press freedom in Spain".

The RSF called for a silent demonstration and urged Spanish editorial staff to observe a minute of silence in the memory of Mr Lopez de ca Calle.

"No-one wins freedom over the dead bodies of journalists," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said in a statement.


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