ETA and the Bask question

Euskadi Ta Askatasuna has decided to declare a permanent cease-fire from March 24, 2006. Today. And I am sure many people is really surprised.

The original COMMUNIQUÉ was pronounced in Euskera of course, but here are versions in English.

COMMUNIQUÉ OF EUSKADI TA ASKATASUNA TO THE BASQUE CITIZENS

Euskadi Ta Askatasuna has decided to declare a permanent cease-fire from March 24, 2006.

The aim of the cease-fire is to promote a democratic process in the Basque country and set up a new framework in which our rights as citizens will be recognised, ensuring the development of political options facing the future."

At the end of that process Basque citizens must have the last word and make a decision on their future.

The French and Spanish states must accept the results of the cited democratic process with no sort of limitations. The decisions Basque citizens make on our future must be respected.

We call on different agents to act responsibly and be consequent facing ETA's steps.

ETA calls on Spanish and French authorities to respond positively to this new situation leaving repression behind.

Finally, we call on Basque citizens to commit themselves to the cause and fight for our rights as a country.

ETA shows its desire and will for the open process to reach a conclusion, a real democracy in the Basque Country, overcoming a long-years conflict and achieving peace based on justice.

We stand by our commitment to make moves in the future in agreement with that will.

Overcoming the conflict is possible here and now. This is ETA's desire and will.

Basque Country, March 2006. Euskadi Ta Askatasuna
E. T.A.

I'm sure it's true, since the Madrid bombings terrorism and violence to reach a political goal has been frowned upon even by the Basks themselves, popular support for ETA has simply disappeared. Without the limited popular support the terrorist organisation is doomed, they have realised this and in a desperate attempt to remedy the situation they are trying to score some political points and perhaps rally some support behind the organisation.

ETA should vanish and the people behind it should rightfully be in jail, no question about that. The core issue itself, getting Bask more autonomy is a political goal that i can support if they do not use violence. I think the Spanish goverment is right in being careful and I believe that ETA should be shunned from the process. ETA is a past chapter, they have almost no public support and are trying now to legitimise violence as a political tool.

hush them to oblivion I say, ignore them and start dealing with the issue itself, talk to political parties and non violent Bask organisations, here is teh chance to show terrorists that violence has no part in a political process. Sadly the EU sends different signals all the time, one example being continued support for Hamas and the PA.