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Thursday, October 20, 2011

A historical day for Democrats in Spain

Armed Basque separatist group ETA has declared "the definitive cessation of all armed action" after four decades of bombing and shooting for a homeland independent of Spain.

The statement was issued in English on Basque newspaper Gara's website, potentially heralding the end of Western Europe's last major violent secessionist group, blamed for 829 deaths.

For several months, Northern Ireland's peace process has been used as the template for behind the scenes discussions in Spain.

Earlier this week, international negotiators - including former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former British prime minister Tony Blair, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan - called on ETA to declare a definitive end to violence.

"We call upon ETA to make a public declaration of the definitive cessation of all armed action," Mr Ahern said after a one-day conference, which did not include the Spanish government or the outlawed ETA.

The Basque separatist group's statement read: "ETA considers that the International Conference that has recently taken place in the Basque Country is an initiative of enormous significance.

"The agreed resolution includes all the elements for an integral solution of the conflict, and it has attained the support of a wide spectrum of the Basque society and the international community.

"A new political time is emerging in the Basque Country. We have an historical opportunity to find a just and democratic solution for the centuries old political conflict.

"Dialogue and agreement should outline the new cycle, over violence and repression. The recognition of the Basque Country and the respect for the will of the people should prevail over imposition."

Elsewhere, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, TD, urged Spain and France to accept today's announcement of a definitive end to armed activity by armed Basque separatists ETA, and agree to talks.


Adams said that the parties involved had to focus on reconciliation, victims and healing personal and social wounds caused by the violence, while Madrid needed to take confidence-building steps.

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