Basque threat to Pope

VIOLENCE in the Basque region of Spain is delaying final decisions about the papal visit to the country in the autumn.
Cardinal Vicente Enrique y Tarancon of Madrid said last week that the visit would begin on October 1 but gave no further details. But Vatican sources said that the main problem over finalising the plans concerned the possible-danger to the Pope if he does go to the Basque area. There is also concern to prevent him from being drawn into the controversy over the government's methods of combating terrorism there. Earlier this month the government reacted angrily to a pastoral letter by four local bishops who criticised the decision to give more power to the military.