BARCELONA APRIL 1, 2006: Following years of negotiation and political wranglings Catalunya has finally been granted independence from Spain.

In a statement by Joan Lopez Looflirpa from the Generalitat, the ruling party in Barcelona party stated 'This is a fantastic outcome to a campaign that we have been petitioning for for the last few years'.

The move to Catalunya independence will begin during the next few weeks.

In a further statement the decision to return to the peseta from the disliked euro was also agreed.  The exact date for the change of currency is still to be decided but to ensure stability of the currency it will be aligned with the Polish Zloty.  Interest rates will also be aligned with those in Poland, currently set at 4%

More details and a full transcript can be found here http://www.tortosaforum.com/looflirpa.html