Basque separatists Eta call an end to violence

In a statement published in the Basque language newspaper, Gara, the separatist group called on the Spanish and French governments to respond to the statement by opening “a process of direct dialogue”.

The group said it wanted to seize a “historical opportunity to reach a just and democratic resolution” of a campaign of bombings and shootings, that has cost the lives of 850 people.

The Spanish government has not responded.

The announcement follows a conference held earlier this week in the Basque Country that was attended by Northern Ireland politicians who were instrumental in the peace process, as well as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The international statesmen called on Eta to bring about an end to violence and to pursue its goals of independence through political means.

A written statement and video was also made available to The New York Times and the BBC, with an embargo of 6pm on 20 October.

Eta said that “a new political age” is beginning in the Basque Country.

“We face a historic opportunity to obtain a just and democratic solution to the age-old political conflict,” Eta said in its statement.

“Eta has decided on the definitive cessation of its armed activity. Eta makes a call to the governments of Spain and France to open a process of direct dialogue which has as its aim the resolution of the consequences of the conflict and thus the conclusion of the armed conflict.

“Finally, ETA calls on Basque society to involve itself in the process of solutions to construct a situation of peace and liberty.”