Basque region greets Spanish king coolly

King Juan Carlos I, seeking to test his political strength in the divided Basque country, arrived in the regional capital of Victoria to a chilly reception by a handful of supporters. Fewer than 50 people turned out to greet Juan Carlos and his Greek-born wife, Sofia, on what was the first visit by a Spanish monarch to the fiercely independent Basque coun try in more than half a century.