Basque Separatists Call a Cease-Fire

Posted on Sep 5, 2010

Flickr / kontrainformatu

In the video obtained by the BBC, three hooded ETA fighters sit at a desk as one reads the group’s declaration.

While it may be a move aimed at disguising the organization’s weakness, the armed Basque separatist group ETA has declared a cease-fire with the Spanish government and said it wants to pursue a “democratic solution to the conflict.”

Government officials in Madrid reacted cautiously to the development, however, with one calling it “ambiguous” and “insufficient.” —JCL

The BBC:

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 Basque interior minister called the statement “insufficient”. Madrid has previously insisted that Eta renounce violence and disarm before any talks.

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