February 16, 2001

In the Basque Region, Professors Find They Are Assassins' Targets

By BURTON BOLLAG

Separatist movement seeks to eliminate any who criticize its views

Western Europe is usually not thought of as a place where professors are in danger. But here in the Basque region, professors on university campuses are moving into unmarked offices to avoid potential assassins.

Two professors at the University of the Basque Country have been shot since the beginning of this academic year, one of them fatally. Those considered most in danger -- around two dozen faculty members,