Spain's ETA declare ceasefire

[Sync]

Armed Basque separatist group Eta says it will not "carry out armed actions" in its campaign for independence.

The group said it took the decision several months ago "to put in motion a democratic process".

The Spanish government has previously said it will only negotiate with Eta if it renounces violence and disarms.

Eta's violent campaign for Basque independence has led to more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years

BBC News - Spain's Eta 'declares ceasefire'



Fantastic news for Spain and the people of Bilbao. Hopefully this signals an end to the violence that's plagued the region for the last few decades.

"Eta confirms its commitment to finding a democratic solution to the conflict we call on all Basque citizens to continue in the struggle, each in their own field, with whatever degree of commitment they have, so that we can all cast down the wall of denial and make irreversible moves forward on the road to freedom.

[edifice.]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If Euskadi are modelling this initiative on the Provisional's scenario then the return of armed conflict is inevitable. We shall wait and see.

[GreenBack]

Does the move have anything to do with the fact that their structure has been almost completely destroyed?

[Catalpa]

Will they now invite the Queen of Spain to the Basque Country?

[alonso]

Jaysus, all it took was Spain winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup....

[gallowglass]

Jaysus, all it took was Spain winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup....

It woz the Catalans wot wun it

[Cruimh]

SF Tweet - Gerry has welcomed the ceasefire.

[GreenBack]

Are these the only three ETA members not in prison?
And how many people have they killed since their last ceasefire and for what?
Hasn't the Basque country had far more autonomy than NI for sometime?

[Sync]

Does the move have anything to do with the fact that their structure has been almost completely destroyed?

Certainly part of it, but another part is that when you're in Spain, you get the feeling that the build for Catalan and Basque independence is growing rapidly, as seen by the recent million man march in Barcelona. So you've got a choice to make, do keep using violence and remain a distraction in the larger discussion, or do you put the guns away because you know that will further your goals better in the long term?

[GreenBack]

Certainly part of it, but another part is that when you're in Spain, you get the feeling that the build for Catalan and Basque independence is growing rapidly, as seen by the recent million man march in Barcelona. So you've got a choice to make, do keep using violence and remain a distraction in the larger discussion, or do you put the guns away because you know that will further your goals better in the long term?

I certainly agree that Spain is a divided nation/state but I feel that radical nationalism in the Basque country has wanned recently (although it could pick up) and the extremists in ETA have been well out of tune for a very long time. Perhaps ETA have finally realised this but if you're an extremists you dont do rational very easily.