The kind of Basque "lesson" Wales should ignore

It's probably not the best time to visit Bilbao and come out with this kind of statement:

According to the committee’s chairman, Aberavon MP Hywel Francis, the proudly autonomous nations of northern Spain, Catalonia and the Basque country, of which the two cities are the capitals, have adapted far better to the modern world than Wales.

That’s a matter of opinion; from yesterday:

MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A powerful bomb preceded by a warning call exploded in Spain's northern city of Bilbao, the largest Basque city, early Thursday, injuring numerous police officers. Officials blamed the attack on the Basque separatist group ETA.