Basque separatist group ETA declares ceasefire

[News_Editor]

Basque separatist group ETA declares ceasefire

2011-01-10 22:01:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN (BNO NEWS) -- The Basque separatist group ETA on Monday announced a permanent ceasefire to the armed conflict as part of its commitment to reach a definitive solution, the Spanish-language Gara newspaper reported.

ETA representatives announced through a video recording that the Basque organization has decided to commit towards a peaceful solution with the Spanish government and announced the ceasefire as proof of its intentions.

The announcement was made in Spanish, Basque as well as English and referred to the Brussels Pact and the Gernika Accord which both indicate that the conflict is in need of a just and democratic solution.

The group indicated that the solution should be achieved through a democratic process as well as dialogue, negotiation and the will of the Basque people. ETA also called for Spanish and French authorities to end repressive actions against its current or former members.

Last November, Spain refused to engage in a dialogue with ETA after the separatist organization announced a cease fire. Spain said that the group had broken two similar agreements in the past and did not trust the organization anymore.

Authorities believed that the announcement was made in order to allow the ETA political wing Batasuna to participate again in the political process. However, it was stated that any party must not have links to ETA to participate in such process.

Back in November, ETA did not specify if the ceasefire was temporary or permanent. This time the Basque separatist group said that the ceasefire is definitive and can be verified by international agencies.

Since 1960, more than 800 people have been killed and thousands more have been injured in ETA-linked attacks.

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