Some experts say Basque leaders are using the talk of secession only as a threat to persuade the central government to give them greater autonomy.

"There will be a huge swing toward Fraga," predicted Julen Guimon, the party's Basque leader.

The Basque leader is "six feet tall, with a strong, intelligent face, a muscular body, and brooding dark eyes."

After the defeat of the Republican side (1 April 1939), the free Basque leaders were refuged in Europe and the Americas.

Basque leaders pleaded to the King of Spain, Philip IV, to intervene.

Ustaritz was the location of the assembly of local Basque leaders before the French Revolution.

The same year the Basque leader, Jimeno 'the Strong,' submitted to the Emir.

By the year 853, Sans Sancion, the Basque leader, was recognised as duke by Charles the Bald.

But he suggested that the killings would have no impact on his talks with Basque and Catalan leaders to form alliances for a coalition or minority government.

While most of the alterations are moderate in nature, conservative politicians here say that any hint of concessions to Basque leaders will encourage other regions to make greater demands.