Autonomous Catalonia likely in Spain

MADRID, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Spain's prime minister has backed a plan to give Catalonia some autonomy as an alternative to independence.

The region around Barcelona has long been a battleground, with ETA, the Basque separatist group, waging a long, violent campaign.

Supporters of an autonomous Catalonia say it would channel political activism into politics.

"The move for independence will grow if the Catalan statute is not approved," said Pasqual Maragall, president of Catalonia. "It's a cautious, ambitious, but very clever and acceptable approach to the Basque question."

Opponents say the plan would be a way station on the road to independence.