Catalonia Today, May 25, 2006 | Observing Euskadi and Montenegro

Comparisons are always odious: Catalonia is not Montenegro, nor is Spain Serbia. Euskadi is not Catalonia, either. But despite the fact that the situations are so different, it can't be denied that Montenegro has succeeded, through democracy, in achieving independence and becoming a new state in the European Union. The situation is a shot in the arm for supporters of Catalan sovereignty, on the eve of another referendum, on June 18, concerning an Estatut that has been significantly watered-down by the Spanish parliament (in areassuch as national recognition, powers and financing) compared with the text drafted by the Catalan parliament. The confusion that pervades the precampaign–worsened by the rupture of the left-wing tripartite government, the uncertain political future of president Pasqual Maragall and the unwritten alliance between the leader of the opposition, the nationalist Artur Mas and the Spanish prime minister Zapatero–will have an effect on a referendum that some would like to view in terms of sovereignty. A referendum with Euskadi and Montenegro in the background.

(Article de Saül Gordillo al setmanari Catalonia Today, 25 de maig de 2006, pàgina 3.)