More military grumblings

A second Spanish military officer is under arrest after he published an open letter in a Melilla newspaper explaining his dissatisfaction with the current Socialist government of José Luis Zapatero Rodríguez. This latest event gives credence to what many observers believe is growing discontentment among the armed forces.

Last week, the commander of the Spanish ground forces Lt. Gen. José Mena Aguado was fired following his arrest for giving a Jan. 6 speech in which he
warned that the military might have to step in if the Catalonia region is given more autonomy that could lead to the break-up of the nation. Mena´s comments produced a wave of concern among business leaders and right-wing politicians who blame Zapatero for antagonizing the armed forces with his drive to give greater autonomy to the Catalonia, Basque and Valencia regions.

In this latest episode, Capt. Roberto González Calderón of the Spanish Legion accused politicians in his letter of "sacrificing their duties to the nation and fatherland to fatten their longings for power." He said that he and other legionaires wanted to deliver the letter personally to Zapatero but opted to publish it in a newspaper in the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla where they serve.

The government ordered both officers arrested because Spanish law prohibits military personnel from issuing public comments.

Zapatero has downplayed notions that some military factions are on the verge of rebellion, and said his advisors have assured him that armed forces are not uneased over the autonomy issues. But González disputed that in his letter.

"Well, Mr Prime Minister, your advisers have not told you the truth," he said. "There is a lot of unease, within and outside the armed forces, which see how Spain is being dismembered, how the national flag is burned in public, how terrorists are allowed to hold demonstrations and social events, and how a generation of Spaniards no longer recognize Spain as their fatherland."

On Wednesday, Defense Minister José Bono reminded the armed forces that they owed loyality to the elected governments and not to the "Spain of the Catholic Monarchs" who in the 16th Century unified the country.