News, December 2006

ETA peace process stalled

24th October. The past month has seen the ETA peace process, initiated after an announcement in March by ETA of a 'permanent ceasefire', has ground to a halt. Street violence began again in the Basque Country, politicians attempting to bring the process to a 'successful conclusion', being stymied by others demanding nothing but 'total victory'. Now we hear of the robbery of a large amount of weoponry in the south of France, while judges have police raid 'people's taverns' in search of indications that they were used to finance ETA and Batasuna politicians are charged with membership of ETA. As the government today asks the European parliament to lend total support to the process, it seems almost a lost hope.

29th September. Over the past 2 weeks it has become increasingly clear that the ETA peace process has stalled. On Saturday, 24th, 3 hooded men spoke in the name of ETA at a rally, saying that ETA will not lay down its arms until its political aims have been achieved. In addition, street violence, know as Kalle Boroka has broken out again in the Basque cities. On the other side, politicians are no closer t consensus on how to deal with ETA, with triangular loggerheads between the central government, regional government and main opposition party Partido Popular, all having different and apparently irreconcilable views on how to proceed. This is a long way from the hopes held before the summer despite differences of opinion.

During the last week of June President Zapatero announced that the 'Permanent Ceasefire' announced by ETA in March has indeed proven to continue in place and that there are signs that ETA is really willing to hang up its arms and rejoin the democratic process in order to achieve its aims. The presidential announcement was met by enthusiams by many, but the conservative opposition party, Partido Popular, together with the victims' association AVT, both claimed it was a sad day when terrorists would be invited to 'peace' talks when they should simply be expected to hang out the white flag of surrender. Right wing elements are not willing to forgive and forget. Amnesty International is also calling the government to be wary of an amnesty for convicted killers!

On 22nd March ETA, using language similar to that used by the IRA before their final ceasefire, announced a permenent ceasefire from Friday, 24th. Political leaders and commentators are cautious, but hopeful. The full statement can be read in English here. Or in Spanish here. Here is the statement in RTF form.