Basque separatist group ETA announces 'definitive' ceasefire

[News_Editor]

Basque separatist group ETA announces 'definitive' ceasefire

2011-10-21 19:15:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

MADRID (BNO NEWS) -- The Basque separatist group ETA on Thursday declared a "definitive cessation of its armed activity", ending its decades-old fight for an independent state, according to a video released by the group.

Three masked men appeared on behalf of the terrorist organization in a video, announcing the ceasefire and calling on the Spanish and French governments "to open a process of direct dialogue" designed to solve "the consequences of conflict."

The declaration follows a peace conference held earlier this week in San Sebastian in northern Spain, attended by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and other high-ranking international figures.

"ETA has decided on the definitive cessation of its armed activity," the organization said in the video released through Spanish media. "With this historic declaration, ETA demonstrates its clear, firm and definitive purpose."

One of the men in the video said that ETA believes the international conference is "an initiative of great political significance" because its "resolution gathers the ingredients for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict and has the support of broad sectors of the Basque society and the international community."

The unidentified man added that "a new political age is opening" in Euskadi, the Basque country. "We face a historic opportunity to obtain a just and democratic solution to the secular political conflict," he said.

Thursday's announcement was followed by an announcement on January 10 when ETA announced a permanent ceasefire to the armed conflict as part of its commitment to reach a definitive solution. Spain refused to engage in a dialogue with ETA as the group had broken two similar agreements in the past and did not trust the organization anymore.

The ceasefire in January was announced to allow the ETA political wing Batasuna to participate again in the political process. Batasuna later launched a new leftist political party that allegedly had no ties with ETA.

Thursday's announcement was welcomed by the international community. European Union Counter-terrorism coordinator Gilles de Kerchove said he was sorry it took 'so long' to arrive at this point after scores of people have been killed, but nonetheless welcomed the development.

"I would like to pay tribute to the resilience of the Spanish society over all those years," de Kerchove said. "I would also like to congratulate the judiciary and the law enforcement forces of Spain and of France whose successful cooperation has been such an important element in limiting ETA's ability to pursue its campaign of violence."

In the United States, which previously designated ETA as a terrorist group, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner was cautious to respond to the announcement. "It's a terrorist organization that's been active in Spain for over 50 years, during which time it's killed over 850 people and injured more than 1,000," he said. "We're not in a position at this time to determine the validity or seriousness, or frankly, the intent of the ETA announcement."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was also careful to respond, and only released a very brief statement. "By implementing an unconditional and complete renunciation of all violence, ETA can help pave the way for a better life for all affected by the last armed conflict in Europe," Clinton said. "I urge ETA's leadership to take this important step."

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said the declaration must be verified, fully confirmed and followed up. "ETA must now disarm and dissolve," he said. "The European Union has full trust in the capacity of the Spanish authorities to verify this announcement."

He added: "I have always said that the only tools which can be used in political confrontation are words and ideas, and even these should not be employed to instigate violence and hatred. There is no place for violence in the European Union. Once more, democracy has won the battle against terrorism."

Buzek further said he hopes that Thursday will be remembered as the end of a 'long and tragic history of death, extortion and fear in Spain.' "Even on this day of hope, our thoughts are with the families of the 829 victims of ETA's 43 years of terrorist activity," he concluded.

ETA, which was founded in 1958 by young nationalists during the dictatorship of General Franco, is blamed for the deaths of 829 people. It has been fighting for independence in the Basque country.

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