BILBAO TOWN HALL; THE BISHOP'S OFFICE; PRIESTS IN GARDEN; PRIESTS HAVING MEAL IN OFFICE; GOING ABOUT DOMESTIC DUTIES; PRIESTS SLEEPING ON CHAIRS; WORKING AT DESK.




Initials RM/VS/JH/LAD



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A GROUP OF 40 "REBEL" BASQUE PRIESTS WHO HAD BEN STAGING A "SIT-IN" AT THE BISHOP'S OFFICE IN BILBAO, IN THE BASQUE PROVINCE OF VIZCAYA, SPAIN, FOR THE PAST EIGHT DAYS TOLD OUR CAMERAMAN OF FRIDAY THAT THEY INTENDED TO STAY UNTIL THEY RECEIVED "A SATISFACTORY ANSWER" FROM CHURCH OFFICIALS. THE PRIEST ARE DEMANDING THAT THE CHURCH SUPPORT THE "CRUSHED BASQUE PEOPLE AND CONDEMN POLICE BRUTALITY".

THE CLERICAL SIT-IN BEGAN WITH THE PRESENTATION OF A 12-PINT PETITION TO CHURCH AUTHORITIES LISTING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE POLICE, CALLING LOCAL CHURCH OFFICIALS "PUPPETS" OF THE GOVERNMENT AND DEMANDING "A BRAVER AND CLEARER STAND FOR THE CHURCH" ON THE BASQUE QUESTION. POLICE INT THE NEIGHBOURING BASQUE PROVINCE OF GUIPUZCOA, USING EMERGENCY POWERS, HAVE MADE HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING A NUMBER OF PRIESTS, TO CRUSH A BASQUE NATIONALIST ORGANIZATION.

THE BILBAO BISHOP, PABLO GURPIDE,HAS BEEN ABSENT IN PAMPLONA THROUGH ILLNESS, AND SO FAR ON FRIDAY HADN'T ANSWERED THE PRIESTS' ACCUSATIONS. THE PRIESTS CLAIM THAT THE POLICE HAVE BEEN USING TORTURES INCLUDING INSERTION OF PINS UNDER THE FINGER NAILS, THE BEATING OF FEET AND EARS, AND HANGING PRISONERS FROM THE WRISTS TO BE BEATEN WITH WET TOWELS THAT LEAVE NO MARKS. THE PRIESTS CLAIM THAT SOME PRISONERS HAVE DIED UNDER TORTURE.