Strategic thinking and conflict transformation A reflection on and from the Basque Country Urko Aiartza Azurtza Berghof Transitions Series No. 14 About the series: This report is published within the framework of the Berghof Transition Series. Initiated in 2008, it originally included case studies produced for a research project on ‘Resistance/Liberation Movements and Transitions to Politics: Building a Network of Experience’. It has provided a unique space for ‘insider experts’, that is, stakeholders in past and ongoing peace processes around the world, to reflect critically on their own experiences in conflict transformation. Although the views expressed are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Berghof Foundation, we deliberately seek to give a voice to the perspectives of those actors who are in the driving seat of conflict transformation. Even though every conflict setting is unique, we strongly believe that such experiential knowledge can help other peacebuilding stakeholders worldwide learn from the failures and successes of their ‘peers’ in the various contexts explored in this publication series. The author previously co- authored another Transition Series report on the Basque peace process, covering the 1958-2007 period and the various attempts at negotiation between ETA and the Spanish Government (Aiartza and Zabalo 2009). This report updates it, while concentrating more specifically on internal strategic decision-making, and highlighting the innovative aspects of the current peace process. Series editor: Dr. Véronique Dudouet
[email protected] About the author: Urko Aiartza Azurtza is a Basque Lawyer and consultant. He holds a Master in Law from the University of the Basque Country EHU-UPV, and a Master degree in Conflictology from UOC- UNITAR.