Joaquín Coll – 23/02/2020
Before the negotiating table meets on Wednesday, Pedro Sánchez would do well to entrust his team with an extensive summary of Juan Pablo Cardenal’s magnificent book, “The Spider Web. The outer plot of the process” (Ariel, 2020). This is a documented work in which this expert journalist in international relations clearly demonstrates the connection between the different units of the Generalitat and Diplocat with institutions and individuals that, in Catalonia and abroad, have been part of what the author calls “la telaraña del procés”. A sophisticated machinery whose purpose was to promote illegal secession thanks to generous public funding, that is, with everyone’s money. Someone will object that the end could be illegal but not illegitimate, which is false since secessionist politics is deeply immoral.
First, because it lacks a democratic base. The break should never have been planted with half of the Catalans against. Now in ERC they recognize it but not quite and call to widen the base but unilateralism has been its road map until recently. Will Oriol Junqueras or Pere Aragonès ask forgiveness for the outrage of September 6 and 7?
Second, because they spent – and continue to do so – a real pile of public money despite pursuing something illegal and illegitimate. Cardinal figure it in more than 400 million until 2017 only in foreign action. But the resources destined to agitation in Catalonia are countless because they merge with the very action of the Government from Artur Mas to Quim Torra. Also add what they use for their powerful means of propaganda and to water with subsidies everything that is useful for their cause. It is money that is detracted from the true citizen needs, particularly reprehensible in these years of social cuts in health, education, child poverty, etc.
An audit of everything spent with public money to promote secessionism would put the figure in billions throughout all these years. Thus, a political immorality of the first order to satisfy an identity desire.
The dialogue
All this does not challenge the convenience of dialogue with the separatists. From the outset because there is no alternative to move forward with the legislature and also because speaking can open a new scenario. Now, Sanchez and the PSOE should not have illusions. Separatism continues to weave its web for a new opportunity in the near future. That ERC now show pragmatics after having pushed the auction up in its duel with the neoconvergents does not make them moderate.
The dialogue phase may be fine if you make those Catalans who have become independentists in the heat of the “process” listen to other arguments and change their electoral options, but they are probably only gaining time.
Neither the Government nor the powers of the State should lower their guard because the web of secessionism remains intact with the money of all Catalans. Do yourself a favor, read Cardenal’s book. Ignoring reality is worse than a mistake, it’s stupid.
https://www.elperiodico.com/es/opinion/20200223/joaquim-coll-telarana-proces-7860695
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