September 12, 2008 9:31 a.m. EST

Vittorio Hernandez - AHN News Writer

Madrid, Spain (AHN) - The Spanish Constitutional Court placed its foot down on a plan by the Basque region to hold an independence referendum. In its ruling issued Thursday the court said the issue must be decided by the entire country upon the initiative of the national government.

Basque Prime Minister Juan Jose Ibarretxe originally scheduled the referendum Oct. 25 after the region s parliament approved its blueprint in July. Ibarretxe threatened to elevate the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The region has 2.1 million residents. It already enjoys a degree of autonomy since it has its own police force, control over its money and independence on education and cultural matters.

Ibarretxe clarified it was a consultation, not a referendum, because the result would not be binding. The court said it was a referendum and declared the planned voting null and void.

Over 800 people have waged their lives because of the desire of Basque residents since the late 1960s to separate from Spain and established a nation.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012270644