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We count on what we count. Let’s add some seriousness to it
Jordi Pujol
Editorial / June 10, 2008
In our editorial of 3 June, we wrote that this is the time to focus our attention and our efforts on moving the country forward. To harness our strength to make headway. It is not the time to dwell on self-analysis, but to gain momentum. It is good that we did some introspection. It is good that we are conscious that things have fared badly. And to admit that we have lost some ground. And we must continue to maintain our self-critical spirit. We must be vigilant with ourselves. Vigilant and serious, of which we have not been enough.
This requires actions to secure a fair deal within the framework of the State, to ensure that the new Statute is respected in its entirety and that it is implemented correctly, and to secure a fair system of financing, without trickery. All this requires an active and intelligent presence within the Spanish State. An active presence is indispensable.
But, above all, it requires strengthening from within. Not only because Catalonia’s external actions – in Spain, in Europe and elsewhere– will be ineffective if we are not a strong society, with clear ideas and positive attitudes – what the Centre d’Estudis Jordi Pujol terms IVA–, but because, in all senses, if we lack strength, seriousness and quality we will not be able to yield all the benefits that we might from our potential. Within and without Catalonia.
Our priority now is to regain confidence, seriousness and a sense of the common good and of individual and collective responsibility.
By way of an example I will illustrate, on the one hand, that our potential is far greater than at times may appear, or may appear to us, and on the other, that to yield all the benefit we need more self-respect and, above all, a change in attitude. Thus, allow me to transcribe the end of a talk I gave recently about the water policy. Specifically the one that governments of the CIU adopted between 1980 and 2003, and one that could now be adopted. I said:
“Personally I don’t see the problem of water being as dramatic as we sometimes see it. It would definitely not be a problem were we to transport water from the Rhône, which flows from the Alps, by far the Europe’s largest reservoir. I do not believe the arguments that exclude this possibility, though for the purposes of my speech today I will desist. Nor would it be so were the Ebro to provide us with 100-150 hm3 every year. It would definitely not be sheer folly, whatever they say. But I will also desist. Even so, I believe that with wisdom and seriousness – which is what we lack at present,– perhaps we could solve the problem. And having already accepted – grudgingly- that so-called solidarity is a fool’s delusion. And that as a certain leading politician remarked: “solidarity must be practised with third party assets”.
Let us see if it is possible to solve it through a combination of measures. And, I repeat, with seriousness.
Imagine a combination of the following:
1. Desalination plants. In theory, the problem could be solved simply with desalinators. But let us not get carried away, we can build just a few, and, at the same time, let’s commit ourselves to producing the energy that we will use to make the desalinators. We must not forget that the plant in El Prat will consume the amount of energy equal to a city with a population of 250,000.
2. Obtain drinking water from the country’s large water treatment plants, a question that has already been addressed.
3. Make better use of wells, although this may be a drop in the ocean.
4. Negotiate agreements with the agricultural sector to implement a water-saving policy. I believe that here we do have marginal opportunity. And at the point where we find ourselves, and with a favourable approach, the rural and farming community would probably come aboard.
5. Consolidate the interconnection between the ATLL and the CAT. It seems that this is finally being done, and the mad idea of wanting to dismantle part of the pipeline has finally been dropped. Most likely, for at least a few years the Tarragona region will have a surplus for a good part of the year. Modest, but we are speaking about a combination in which the crumbs also serve their purpose.
So where is the problem of this combination? It lies in the prevailing lack of seriousness, inconsistency and demagogy in Catalan politics – and in a sizable section of society.
I will explain this with an example. In all likelihood, four or five desalination plants would solve in large part the problem. But as I have pointed out it would compel us to produce or import lots of energy. And to date experience tell us that as much the combine cycles plants, as the wind farms and the power lines – of high or not so high tension, namely those of the MAT in Gavarres– have met with strong opposition from local pressure groups that for many years have enjoyed the support of the parties of the Catalan Tripartite government, and right now of a good part of the Government. And miracles are not possible. Israel, for instance, is proof of how with a narrow river, biblical wells, treatment plants, aptly regulated irrigation, and, above all, seriousness, she is able to solve her water problem.
Catalonia’s water problem does not only concern water. It is about the way of approaching things."
When it comes to drawing a balance – our assets and liabilities – we have to admit that we cannot rely on a fair or an understanding attitude from the rest of Spain. We will just receive what cannot be denied. Be it money, water, political power, or respect. This does not imply we should stop asking for it. But we should be aware of how things stand. We must count on what we can count. Which is not little. It is probably more than enough to provide a strong boost to our economy, our welfare state, international presence– as in economic as in image and message terms –, our culture and our identity. But provided we manage our resources adequately, without political or social bungling. We need a clear notion of the common good and to forge strong political, social and intellectual leadership capable to make it be understood and heard. And, lastly, we need something as simple as seriousness. There are too many people lacking it, or who behave as if they did not have any.
In short, I repeat, it is possible. But it is urgent.
But, above all, it requires strengthening from within. Not only because Catalonia’s external actions – in Spain, in Europe and elsewhere– will be ineffective if we are not a strong society, with clear ideas and positive attitudes – what the Centre d’Estudis Jordi Pujol terms IVA–, but because, in all senses, if we lack strength, seriousness and quality we will not be able to yield all the benefits that we might from our potential. Within and without Catalonia.
Our priority now is to regain confidence, seriousness and a sense of the common good and of individual and collective responsibility.
By way of an example I will illustrate, on the one hand, that our potential is far greater than at times may appear, or may appear to us, and on the other, that to yield all the benefit we need more self-respect and, above all, a change in attitude. Thus, allow me to transcribe the end of a talk I gave recently about the water policy. Specifically the one that governments of the CIU adopted between 1980 and 2003, and one that could now be adopted. I said:
“Personally I don’t see the problem of water being as dramatic as we sometimes see it. It would definitely not be a problem were we to transport water from the Rhône, which flows from the Alps, by far the Europe’s largest reservoir. I do not believe the arguments that exclude this possibility, though for the purposes of my speech today I will desist. Nor would it be so were the Ebro to provide us with 100-150 hm3 every year. It would definitely not be sheer folly, whatever they say. But I will also desist. Even so, I believe that with wisdom and seriousness – which is what we lack at present,– perhaps we could solve the problem. And having already accepted – grudgingly- that so-called solidarity is a fool’s delusion. And that as a certain leading politician remarked: “solidarity must be practised with third party assets”.
Let us see if it is possible to solve it through a combination of measures. And, I repeat, with seriousness.
Imagine a combination of the following:
1. Desalination plants. In theory, the problem could be solved simply with desalinators. But let us not get carried away, we can build just a few, and, at the same time, let’s commit ourselves to producing the energy that we will use to make the desalinators. We must not forget that the plant in El Prat will consume the amount of energy equal to a city with a population of 250,000.
2. Obtain drinking water from the country’s large water treatment plants, a question that has already been addressed.
3. Make better use of wells, although this may be a drop in the ocean.
4. Negotiate agreements with the agricultural sector to implement a water-saving policy. I believe that here we do have marginal opportunity. And at the point where we find ourselves, and with a favourable approach, the rural and farming community would probably come aboard.
5. Consolidate the interconnection between the ATLL and the CAT. It seems that this is finally being done, and the mad idea of wanting to dismantle part of the pipeline has finally been dropped. Most likely, for at least a few years the Tarragona region will have a surplus for a good part of the year. Modest, but we are speaking about a combination in which the crumbs also serve their purpose.
So where is the problem of this combination? It lies in the prevailing lack of seriousness, inconsistency and demagogy in Catalan politics – and in a sizable section of society.
I will explain this with an example. In all likelihood, four or five desalination plants would solve in large part the problem. But as I have pointed out it would compel us to produce or import lots of energy. And to date experience tell us that as much the combine cycles plants, as the wind farms and the power lines – of high or not so high tension, namely those of the MAT in Gavarres– have met with strong opposition from local pressure groups that for many years have enjoyed the support of the parties of the Catalan Tripartite government, and right now of a good part of the Government. And miracles are not possible. Israel, for instance, is proof of how with a narrow river, biblical wells, treatment plants, aptly regulated irrigation, and, above all, seriousness, she is able to solve her water problem.
Catalonia’s water problem does not only concern water. It is about the way of approaching things."
When it comes to drawing a balance – our assets and liabilities – we have to admit that we cannot rely on a fair or an understanding attitude from the rest of Spain. We will just receive what cannot be denied. Be it money, water, political power, or respect. This does not imply we should stop asking for it. But we should be aware of how things stand. We must count on what we can count. Which is not little. It is probably more than enough to provide a strong boost to our economy, our welfare state, international presence– as in economic as in image and message terms –, our culture and our identity. But provided we manage our resources adequately, without political or social bungling. We need a clear notion of the common good and to forge strong political, social and intellectual leadership capable to make it be understood and heard. And, lastly, we need something as simple as seriousness. There are too many people lacking it, or who behave as if they did not have any.
In short, I repeat, it is possible. But it is urgent.
