Eta separatists declare permanent ceasefire

edgray

edgray

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Basque group's move to end half a century of violence fails to impress Spain's politicians

The armed Basque separatist group Eta took a step down the path to ending half a century of violence today, declaring that a four-month ceasefire was now permanent and opening the door to verification by international observers.

"Eta has decided to declare a permanent and general ceasefire which will be verifiable by the international community," it said in a video statement read out by one of three masked militants wearing black berets. "This is Eta's firm commitment towards a process to achieve a lasting resolution and towards an end to armed confrontation."

The Spanish government, however, said the offer was too little and came far too late. "It is evident that once again today, Eta has not done what we democratic parties expected," said deputy prime minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba.

Spain's socialist government believes it has Eta on the run and has repeatedly said the only meaningful step the group can now take is to lay down arms definitively. "The government has rejected international verification over and over again," Rubalcaba added. "In a country under the rule of law it is for the state security forces to verify [a ceasefire]."

Eta has been severely weakened by arrests of militants since it formally called off its last ceasefire in June 2007. Spanish and French police have captured the group's senior military leader five times over the past three years, forcing it to reorganise continually. In September it said it had halted "offensive armed actions".

Some 550 members of Eta are held in Spanish and French jails, with some prisoners actively lobbying for the group to give up a campaign of bombs and shootings that has claimed 800 lives over five decades.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/10/eta-separatists-declare-permanent-ceasefire

:D :thumbup
 
Tuffdisc said:
When the PIRA and the Protestants had a permanent ceasefire, they had basically the same thing happen to both the sides, the international community made sure that both sides gave up their arms
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that's reassuring. People here seem a little skeptical right now, international oversight should ease those doubts.

Now hopefully the Basque region can join Cataluña in the peaceful struggle for independence.
 
Tuffdisc said:
At least the Spanish government should give it a chance rather than condemn it for being too little and late
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There's not much chance for that now : S
The Spanish government feels it has an upper hand and I don't really believe in Eta's good intentions.
Obviously also the Spanish government doesn't. So they are really walking on thin ice now. I don't really see a good solution of the situation. Eta might just be trying to buy some time, they're as week as ever on the other hand not accepting the extended hand will just leave a bad taste in the mouth of the community.
 
edgray said:
that's reassuring. People here seem a little skeptical right now, international oversight should ease those doubts.

Now hopefully the Basque region can join Cataluña in the peaceful struggle for independence.
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I was happy it did come to fruition, I hated all these bomb scares we use to have in London, though giving in to the PIRA was never a thought

Carn said:
There's not much chance for that now : S
The Spanish government feels it has an upper hand and I don't really believe in Eta's good intentions.
Obviously also the Spanish government doesn't. So they are really walking on thin ice now. I don't really see a good solution of the situation. Eta might just be trying to buy some time, they're as week as ever on the other hand not accepting the extended hand will just leave a bad taste in the mouth of the community.
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Yeah, probably that is a point maybe they are buying time, but if they are so weak it is better to have peace rather than war
 
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