Basque separatist group Eta 'declares ceasefire'

[alp227]

Source: BBC News

Armed Basque separatist group Eta says it will not "carry out armed actions" in its campaign for independence.

In a video obtained exclusively by the BBC, the group said it took the decision several months ago "to put in motion a democratic process".

The Spanish government has not responded. In the past it has said it will only negotiate with Eta if it renounces violence and disarms.

Eta's violent campaign has led to more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11191395

[David__77]

1. Castilian chauvinism is the root cause.

Franco exemplified it. A group like the ETA, or FRAP, is merely the residue of the anti-fascist struggle, and they would have laid down arms decades ago had Spain become a multi-national, federal democratic republic instead of a unitary state dominated by the Spanish-speaking majority.

The Spanish state is even banning unarmed, legalistic opposition like the Communist Party of the Basque Homelands, which obtained 13% of the people's vote in 2005. I am not saying that I oppose political parties being banned under certain conditions, but the question is whether or not it serves social progress: this does not.

[liberation]

2. Dude, the 1950s called. They want their memes back.

ETA is and has been for the past 3 decades nothing more than a mafiosi organization. Most of the historical leaders left that group long ago, and now they are nothing but the Basque mafia. They even run the same "protection" racket business, they call it "revolutionary tax" and if you don't pay it "bad things could happen to you or your business."

ETA may have had a place fighting the Franco regime, but ever since Spain became a democracy they should have put down their weapons (which many did BTW).

"Castilian Chauvinism" sounds like a laughable canned talking point if you ask me. They are a bunch of assassins, there is no such thing as a "freedom fighter" in a modern democratic society.

[David__77]

3. A "democracy" that bans peaceful political parties?

Perhaps, but not a pluralistic democracy. As for as national chauvinism goes, please consult the Basque and Catalan people about the matter. I did not advocate ETA or its strategy and tactics. I do, however, urge a place at the table for groups like EHAK that represent the aspirations of many Basque people.

[liberation]

4. Please keep your condescension to yourself.

I am half Basque (mum) and I grew up there. I don't think you have the slightest idea what you are referring in regards to the situation in the Basque country and why EH was outlawed.

For any American to critizise a Western European democracy as not being "pluralistic" is the epitome of entitlement. Look at the electoral ballot to any election over there, and compare it to your choices in the USA and get back to me. In the Basque country right now, there are plenty of pro-independence electoral choices which do not recourse to violence, and thus are perfectly legal. Same deal in Catalonia. The thing is that, as much support independents views have, it turns out a majority of people have the opposite view. Which is how an actual democracy works.

I think you are trying to put forth a very dishonest narrative. ETA is nothing but a bunch of armed thugs carrying out mafia-like operations, whichever ideological foundation they may have had at some point is long gone.

[David__77]

5. I mean no condescension.

And I do not think the US political set-up is superior to that of Spain; quite the opposite. As I said, I do not support ETA's strategy and tactics. I recognize there are Basque people who support a unitary Spanish state. I am quite aware of the judicial proceedings against EHAK and its alleged ties to ETA. I do not agree with the court's conclusions. I recognize the right of the Spanish state to manage its internal affairs - I do not advocate external interference. The peoples of Spain will decide their fate.

[DetlefK]

6. They declare cease-fire, they break it, they declare cease-fire, they break it, they declare ...

I guess they just want to buy some time. Fruitless negotiations for months and years and as soon they have enough extorted money and explosives for a new attack, they declare the cease-fire to be over.