Basque Terrorist Group ETA announce a Cease Fire

Basque Terrorist Group ETA announce a Cease Fire
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By h.b. - Sep 5, 2010 - 12:16 PM
A video obtained by the BBC speaks of an end to 'armed actions'

Archive Photo EFE

Basque terrorist group ETA has declared a cease fire according to a video seen by the BBC. The BBC reports that ETA has said it has decided not to carry out ‘armed actions’ in its campaign for Basque independence.

There has been speculation in the Spanish press for some months that such a declaration was pending, and the BBC video shows ETA saying the decision was taken several months ago ‘to put a democratic process in motion’.

The video can also be seen on the Basque newspaper site GARA - in Euskera - here
The BBC prints an English translation of key parts of the text here

Following the collapse of previous ETA cease fires and the deaths of two Ecuadorians in the bomb explosion at Barajas Airport in Madrid in December 2006, the Spanish Government has said it will only negotiate with ETA if it first renounces the use of violence.

As yet there is no reaction from Madrid on the BBC video, except to stay that they are studying it, but if the news is confirmed the Governing Socialists are seen far more likely to hold negotiations than the opposition Partido Popular. The topic is set to become another battleground between the two main parties in Spain as regional elections approach in many areas, and when the support of the Basque Nationalist Party is being seen as key for José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to get next year’s State Budget through Congress.

ETA’s campaign for Basque independence as lasted for some 40 years, over what time it has led to more than 820 deaths.

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