Eta declares permanent ceasefire

[jose]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4832672.stm

The Basque separatist group Eta has declared a permanent ceasefire. Eta is blamed for killing more than 800 people in its four-decade fight for independence for the Basque region of northern Spain and south-west France. In a statement released to Basque media, the group said its objective now was "to start a new democratic process in the Basque country". Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the government was cautious but hopeful about the announcement. Ending the conflict, here and now, is possible - this is the desire and the will of Eta Eta, which is classed as a terrorist group by the US and the European Union, declared an indefinite ceasefire in 1998 but peace talks broke down and the bombing campaign resumed a year later. The group has never previously called a permanent stop to the violence.

this may not mean much to my American friends but here in spain its big, good news

[Osborn F Enready]

Glad to hear it Jose. I hope there is truth in the words.

[Arawn-ap-Hywel]

Quote by: jose http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4832672.stm The Basque separatist group Eta has declared a permanent ceasefire. Eta is blamed for killing more than 800 people in its four-decade fight for independence for the Basque region of northern Spain and south-west France. In a statement released to Basque media, the group said its objective now was "to start a new democratic process in the Basque country". Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the government was cautious but hopeful about the announcement. Ending the conflict, here and now, is possible - this is the desire and the will of Eta Eta, which is classed as a terrorist group by the US and the European Union, declared an indefinite ceasefire in 1998 but peace talks broke down and the bombing campaign resumed a year later. The group has never previously called a permanent stop to the violence. this may not mean much to my American friends but here in spain its big, good news

jose It is good news for all of Spain and Europe, may the path to disarmanent come quickly.


I wonder how many hidden discussions took place with their US sponsors? So as to avoid an upset and internal investigations of possible hispanic funding by US citizens with Basque origins

[G. Adams]

This is fantastic news. ETA really lost it's purpose after Spain democratised. The remaining goals, to secure Basque culture, can be achieved peaceably. I only hope we don't see splinter groups, akin to the Real IRA, forming.

[grandpa]

Quote by: G. Adams This is fantastic news. ETA really lost it's purpose after Spain democratised. The remaining goals, to secure Basque culture, can be achieved peaceably. I only hope we don't see splinter groups, akin to the Real IRA, forming.

That is a lesson. Grant people certain rights and they'll be less quick to resort to violence.

Grandpa h.

[rmnunez]

A "permanent ceasefire" sounds a lot like surrender to me, I hope the news isn't exagerated, ceasefires can be broken.

[Osborn F Enready]

Better stomp those bugs dead, eh Munez?

Do you THINK it is exaggerated, or just hoping with the odds as dictated by the report?

[rmnunez]

Credit for getting the ETA to lay down arms, if true, goes to the Spanish government. Their steadfast pursuit of terrorism, strict adherence to the highest human rights standards, focus on a law-enforcement over any political or military approaches. None of this would be possible absent the tolerance and understanding of Spanish society for their government's arduous struggle against these anachronistic maoist revolutionaries.

[Matt W]

There's also the Spanish government's approach towards giving their regions greater autonomy:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4398702.stm

Spain's parliament has approved proposals to grant greater autonomy to the north-eastern region of Catalonia. Under the proposals, the affluent region would be called a nation and given the right to control taxation and change laws passed by parliament. The plan passed its first reading by 197 votes to 146, but has to be amended to comply with Spain's constitution.

The Basques failed earlier this year with a similar bill, but this should refire their political impetus.

[Nono]

Quote by: BBC Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the government was cautious.

As well it should be.

Quote by: GA I only hope we don't see splinter groups, akin to the Real IRA, forming.

Well that's the thing. In Northern Ireland you have the issue of a fully united republican Ireland (which isn't what I'd call exactly "hot button" these days, in part thanks to the EU) but you also have the issue of a profoundly segregated society, which it still is.

As long as the Basque country stays clear of that kind of shit -- and why wouldn't it? -- things ought to continue to improve, wise though Zapatero is not to take this at face value.

[rmnunez]

Yes, remember these are hot-headed radicals who've been criminally pursuing their revolution despite gradual disappearance of grounds for their grievances.

Spain fostered autonomous communities and their relative self-government early after Franco's passing, Catalonians and Basques were the first to be benefit. That process of regionalization led to successive transfers of authority to local governments and these have mindfuly promoted the preservation and development of their distinctions (language, cultural practices and administrative particularities).

Spanish integration within the EU and its evolution has notoriously de-emphasized regional nationalism and even has difused the source of oppression which the emergence of an EU authority. Enhanced multicultural interactions fostered by EU progress enhances awareness there are myriads of ethnic communities much worse off than the Basques as far as self-government is concerned.

If this, coupled with a substantial loss of ideological credibility after the demise of the Soviets (remember these Basque separatists are communists), didn't moderate their demeanor, what assures us they now truly see the futility of their ways? I hope they've done some introspection, considered the harm they've inflicted, noticed the suffering Basques everywhere endure as a consequence of their irresponsibility and appreciate the obstinancy of retaining outmoded ideological constructs, that this is behind their surrender, but it is only a hope.

[Arawn-ap-Hywel]

Quote by: Matt W There's also the Spanish government's approach towards giving their regions greater autonomy:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4398702.stm Spain's parliament has approved proposals to grant greater autonomy to the north-eastern region of Catalonia. Under the proposals, the affluent region would be called a nation and given the right to control taxation and change laws passed by parliament. The plan passed its first reading by 197 votes to 146, but has to be amended to comply with Spain's constitution. The Basques failed earlier this year with a similar bill, but this should refire their political impetus.

Brilliant News

[rmnunez]

AAH, catalonians and basques don't need more autonomy or self-government, these levels are practically indistinguishable in Spanish Autonomous Communities from prevailing practice among sovereigns. Catalonia and the Basque Region maintain more offices overseas and through these, direct ties to foreign governments than lots of sovereign states. The Spanish government reacted strongly against Franco's legacy doing the opposite; Franco's was a strong centralist government, what followed was a decentralizing devolution, some of the movement in this direction is not merited.

[rmnunez]

According to a poll by Sigma Dos for El Mundo, a majority of Spaniards (68.4%) favour the government engage in negotiations with ETA, 75.5% support engaging in negotiations only on the issue of their surrender and delivery of weapons, and 55.3% that negotiations cover possibly the return of exiled ETA terrorists.

http://www.elmundo.es/index.html?a=9...a&t=1143084966

[Nono]

Quote by: rmnunez AAH, catalonians and basques don't need more autonomy or self-government, these levels are practically indistinguishable in Spanish Autonomous Communities from prevailing practice among sovereigns.

Never been to the Basque country, but whatever their constitutional position the Catalans have an obvious psychological need to grab you by the scruff of the neck and make good-n-goddam sure that you don't think they're Spanish or anything weird like that.
I'm not laughing at them -- they've earned their attitude the hard way.
I'm just noting it.

(...) the issue of their surrender and delivery of weapons (...)

As one saw in Northern Ireland, this may be only the beginning of a long process, especially if any "Real ETA" types turn up.

[rmnunez]

Catalonians are rather irritating, very proud to let you know of their difference from other Spaniards and their struggle for autonomy is nicely recorded and well-documented. Catalonia is a tremendously successful autonomous region, they do much better in all economic and social indicators than any of the other Spanish regions. They have a magnificent infrastructure and are host to high tech pharmaceutical, textile, computing, avionics and bioscience industries, some first rate academia too, they have some fine sparkling wines and even hosted the Olympics.