Sitting here in Northern Ireland seems the right place to be to read about the fact the the Basque separatist terror group Eta have declared a 'ceasefire' via a video statement.
Like the IRA here they are putting their hopes in democracy from now on to gain their independence. Founded in 1959 their move today to seek a democratic solution by declaring a ceasefire, which it is not clear if is temporary or permanent, must be looked at as a major step from the North Eastern Region and indeed the whole of Spain. In the historical context the first IRA ceasefire turned out to be a temporary measure, but the actions since then have lead to Sinn Féin having an active role in the politics of Northern Ireland, currently having the Deputy First Minister.
In their declaration the three masked spokesmen said:
"Eta confirms its commitment to finding a democratic solution to the conflict.
"In its commitment to a democratic process to decide freely and democratically our future, through dialogue and negotiations, Eta is prepared today as yesterday to agree to the minimum democratic conditions necessary to put in motion a democratic process, if the Spanish government is willing.
"We call on all Basque citizens to continue in the struggle, each in their own field, with whatever degree of commitment they have, so that we can all cast down the wall of denial and make irreversible moves forward on the road to freedom."
Like the IRA, Eta's demand for a Basque nation extends beyond the boundaries of one administrative area and nation. They territorial claims stretch from the Basque administrative region eastwards along the Pyrenees and into France, and somewhat southeasterly into Northern Spain.
I do hope that these negotiations do end in a lasting peace. The previous attempt attempts at peace talks ended in a bomb killing two at Madrid airport in 2006.
Yes, I sincerely hope that this ceasefire holds, and that the Basque region can find a peaceful way forward.
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