Eta declares permanent ceasefire

Politics International Politics
1

Hurrah! Score one for peace.

[quote=“BBC”]The Basque separatist group Eta has declared a permanent ceasefire.

The group has been fighting for independence for the Basque region of northern Spain and south-west France for nearly four decades.

It is blamed for killing more than 800 people in that time, many of them Spanish police, judges and politicians.

In a statement released to Basque media, Eta said its objective now was “to start a new democratic process in the Basque country”.

"At the end of this process, Basque citizens will be able to have a voice and the power to decide their future.

“An end to the conflict is possible today and now,” it said. “This is the hope and desire of Eta.”

The announcement said the ceasefire would begin on Friday 24 March.

It was made first on Spanish Basque radio and TV outlets, and then carried by the online version of the Basque newspaper Gara, the usual vehicle for Eta statements.

First step

The group’s activities have been waning, with the number of bombings falling in recent years. The last deadly Eta attack was in May 2003.

In the 1970s Eta killed 100 people or more every year.

There has been a series of bombs in recent weeks but the BBC’s correspondent in Madrid, Danny Wood, says Wednesday’s announcement could be the first step towards a formal peace process between the group and the Spanish government.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has said a permanent end to hostilities by Eta is a condition for any talks between the organisation and the government.

A spokeswoman for the government said it was “analysing” the statement. [/quote]

2

ETA is calling this because they are running out of warm bodies. Spanish and French Anti-Terrorist Police decided to just kill the bastards 3 years ago. The Basque area populace finally got sick of this malignacy in their midst. Plus they were missing out on inductrial development in the area due to political instability.

Still, I would not call it over for 2 years at the least. This is still a hot topic in the area.

Basque food is among the top 5 of my favorite cuisine.

3

Really? Can’t say I cared much for the food–save the seafood, which is divine. Their drinks on the other hand… pacharan/ patxaran… mmmm. And the women! Fabulous. Last time I was there, a Basque highschool buddy gave me the tour. All the best dives, none of the rallies: politics strickly limited to discussions with those he knew personally. Smart guy: I left just in time to miss out on an outbreak of attacks on tourists. Maybe it’s time to head back, see how things have changed, pick up some more homebrewed pacharan.

4

The former Spanish PM scared the sh*t out of them when he accused them for the train bombings in Madrid. And ever since they were busy telling “no we did not do this and that, the Islamists did…”

Guess being a European terrorist is no fun anymore. You want to blow up the local major and then the guys from the far east have already blewn up the whole town hall and the monastery next to it.

No trade union available, so quitting is all they can do…

[ah, back to my cynical Taiwan-self]

5

At the same time bob, it’s a great time to be poacher turned gamekeeper. Now that the Islamic lot look so bad, the IRA and ETA look tame by comparison. And that means the erstwhile Euro-terrorist can expect to be welcomed into the “democratic process” club with open arms. It’ll be interesting to see how many seats ETA wins in the Spanish parliament. I wonder how it would work if Ozzy B did an ETA and ran for Congress?

Sadly the way to get ahead these day is to go around killing people and then reap the rewards of everyone’s relief when you stop and call a “ceasefire”. This is the irony of fighting terrorists. Even when you beat them they still win.

6

[quote=“hexuan”]At the same time bob, it’s a great time to be poacher turned gamekeeper. Now that the Islamic lot look so bad, the IRA and ETA look tame by comparison. And that means the erstwhile Euro-terrorist can expect to be welcomed into the “democratic process” club with open arms. It’ll be interesting to see how many seats ETA wins in the Spanish parliament. I wonder how it would work if Ozzy B did an ETA and ran for Congress?

Sadly the way to get ahead these day is to go around killing people and then reap the rewards of everyone’s relief when you stop and call a “ceasefire”. This is the irony of fighting terrorists. Even when you beat them they still win.[/quote]

I dunno, a good enemy is better than a bad friend.
A common enemy unites the people and suddenly terrorists drop their weapon. And even ex-YoungSocialists like me say good things about Bush. Sometimes.
:stuck_out_tongue: