SPANISH STUDENTS DEFY BOMBERS
Spanish students defy the bombers
By John Hicks
MORE than 20 Spanish youngsters went ahead with their trip to Northern Ireland . . . just a day after the Omagh bomb atrocity.
Despite a few qualms amongst some anxious parents not one of them ever considered pulling out.
And that was after they were all told a Spanish boy and his teacher were victims of the massacre.
But then the youngsters aged between 16 and 21 are made of stern stuff.
They all come from the Urdaibai area near Bilbao in the heart of Spain's troubled Basque country.
With more than 800 terrorist deaths in Spain since 1959 they know all about bombs and bullets.
But unlike in Northern Ireland, the Basque terrorist group ETA which is fighting for independence, shows no sign of calling a ceasefire.
Said their teacher Carmen Averga (30): "The Omagh bomb went off the day before we planned to catch the plane to Belfast.
""All the parents and children were told of the situation.
"Some were a little apprehensive but they realised it was like here and they understood.
Since the student exchange group arrived in the province nine days ago they have been staying at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra.
All their planned trips around the province have gone ahead as planned except one - a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh.
Ivan Cross, a youth leader with Belfast City Council, one of the project leaders, said: "We felt it would not have been appropriate. .
Said one of the students. Batxi Aranburu (17): "At first my parents were quite worried.
"But after speaking to the other parents they all agreed it was better for us to go ahead."
By John Hicks
MORE than 20 Spanish youngsters went ahead with their trip to Northern Ireland . . . just a day after the Omagh bomb atrocity.
Despite a few qualms amongst some anxious parents not one of them ever considered pulling out.
And that was after they were all told a Spanish boy and his teacher were victims of the massacre.
But then the youngsters aged between 16 and 21 are made of stern stuff.
They all come from the Urdaibai area near Bilbao in the heart of Spain's troubled Basque country.
With more than 800 terrorist deaths in Spain since 1959 they know all about bombs and bullets.
But unlike in Northern Ireland, the Basque terrorist group ETA which is fighting for independence, shows no sign of calling a ceasefire.
Said their teacher Carmen Averga (30): "The Omagh bomb went off the day before we planned to catch the plane to Belfast.
""All the parents and children were told of the situation.
"Some were a little apprehensive but they realised it was like here and they understood.
Since the student exchange group arrived in the province nine days ago they have been staying at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra.
All their planned trips around the province have gone ahead as planned except one - a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh.
Ivan Cross, a youth leader with Belfast City Council, one of the project leaders, said: "We felt it would not have been appropriate. .
Said one of the students. Batxi Aranburu (17): "At first my parents were quite worried.
"But after speaking to the other parents they all agreed it was better for us to go ahead."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0271
Published Date: 26-Aug-98
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