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Basque group Eta says armed campaign is over Basque group Eta says armed campaign is over
(about 2 hours later)
The Basque separatist group Eta says it has called a "definitive cessation" to its campaign of bombings and shootings.The Basque separatist group Eta says it has called a "definitive cessation" to its campaign of bombings and shootings.
In a statement provided to the BBC, Eta called on the Spanish and French governments to respond with "a process of direct dialogue".In a statement provided to the BBC, Eta called on the Spanish and French governments to respond with "a process of direct dialogue".
The declaration, if followed through, would bring an end to Eta's campaign of violence, which has lasted more than 40 years and killed more than 800 people.The declaration, if followed through, would bring an end to Eta's campaign of violence, which has lasted more than 40 years and killed more than 800 people.
Spain's PM said the move was "a victory for democracy, law and reason".Spain's PM said the move was "a victory for democracy, law and reason".
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said after 40 years of bomb attacks and assassinations, Spain was now experiencing "legitimate satisfaction" at the victory over terror.Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said after 40 years of bomb attacks and assassinations, Spain was now experiencing "legitimate satisfaction" at the victory over terror.
Eta's decision to end its violence for good has been met here with a series of victory speeches.Eta's decision to end its violence for good has been met here with a series of victory speeches.
Prime Minister Zapatero said the Rule of Law had triumphed, calling Eta's statement a victory for democracy and reason.Prime Minister Zapatero said the Rule of Law had triumphed, calling Eta's statement a victory for democracy and reason.
Until now, Spain's politicians had always insisted Eta must dissolve and disarm, nothing less.Until now, Spain's politicians had always insisted Eta must dissolve and disarm, nothing less.
Opposition leader Mariano Rajoy did stress that Spaniards will never be truly at ease until that happens.Opposition leader Mariano Rajoy did stress that Spaniards will never be truly at ease until that happens.
But a common position has clearly been agreed that this - finally - is a move worth accepting, in order to secure a lasting peace.But a common position has clearly been agreed that this - finally - is a move worth accepting, in order to secure a lasting peace.
Still, the prime minister described today's victory as stained by the memory of the 829 people killed, and all those injured. They will never be forgotten, he said.Still, the prime minister described today's victory as stained by the memory of the 829 people killed, and all those injured. They will never be forgotten, he said.
Talks lie ahead on the difficult issues of more than 700 Eta prisoners and the separatists' arms and explosives.Talks lie ahead on the difficult issues of more than 700 Eta prisoners and the separatists' arms and explosives.
But that's a task for the next government, after November's elections.But that's a task for the next government, after November's elections.
He said that terror should never have happened and must never be return.He said that terror should never have happened and must never be return.
The new Spanish government to emerge after November's general election is to take charge of the process, said former interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba - who is running on behalf of the Socialist Party in the poll.The new Spanish government to emerge after November's general election is to take charge of the process, said former interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba - who is running on behalf of the Socialist Party in the poll.
Mr Zapatero is not running for re-election.Mr Zapatero is not running for re-election.
Analysts say Eta has been badly weakened by a security crackdown in recent years.Analysts say Eta has been badly weakened by a security crackdown in recent years.
The declaration follows a conference this week in the Basque Country, attended by international statesmen including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and protagonists in the Northern Ireland peace process.The declaration follows a conference this week in the Basque Country, attended by international statesmen including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and protagonists in the Northern Ireland peace process.
They called on Eta to lay down its arms.They called on Eta to lay down its arms.
Our correspondent, Sarah Rainsford, says the event was so carefully choreographed that this move from Eta was widely anticipated.Our correspondent, Sarah Rainsford, says the event was so carefully choreographed that this move from Eta was widely anticipated.
Ceasefire brokenCeasefire broken
In its statement, Eta said "a new political age is opening" in the Basque Country.In its statement, Eta said "a new political age is opening" in the Basque Country.
"We face a historic opportunity to obtain a just and democratic solution to the age-old political conflict," it said."We face a historic opportunity to obtain a just and democratic solution to the age-old political conflict," it said.
"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. With this historic declaration, Eta demonstrates its clear, firm and definitive purpose.""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. With this historic declaration, Eta demonstrates its clear, firm and definitive purpose."
The announcement - provided to the BBC as well as to the Basque outlet Gara - is the latest step in what Eta claims is a transition to peaceful methods.The announcement - provided to the BBC as well as to the Basque outlet Gara - is the latest step in what Eta claims is a transition to peaceful methods.
In September 2010, it announced, again to the BBC, a decision not to carry out further attacks.In September 2010, it announced, again to the BBC, a decision not to carry out further attacks.
In January this year, it declared a permanent and "internationally verifiable" ceasefire.In January this year, it declared a permanent and "internationally verifiable" ceasefire.
Spain's Socialist government has continued to insist that it will not negotiate on demands for Basque self-determination until Eta disbands.Spain's Socialist government has continued to insist that it will not negotiate on demands for Basque self-determination until Eta disbands.
The government is cautious about engaging in another peace process, after the last one failed.The government is cautious about engaging in another peace process, after the last one failed.
It opened contacts with Eta when the group called a "permanent" ceasefire in 2006, only to break it by bombing an airport car park in Madrid, killing two people.It opened contacts with Eta when the group called a "permanent" ceasefire in 2006, only to break it by bombing an airport car park in Madrid, killing two people.
The group has also abandoned previous ceasefires.The group has also abandoned previous ceasefires.
Inigo Gurruchaga, of El Correo, the most prominent newspaper in the Basque Country, says Eta simply used previous truces to reorganise and rearm.Inigo Gurruchaga, of El Correo, the most prominent newspaper in the Basque Country, says Eta simply used previous truces to reorganise and rearm.
But this time appears to be different, he says.But this time appears to be different, he says.
Not only has there not been a killing for more than two years, but businessmen have stopped receiving demands for a "revolutionary tax", and there have not been street protests by Eta supporters for several months.Not only has there not been a killing for more than two years, but businessmen have stopped receiving demands for a "revolutionary tax", and there have not been street protests by Eta supporters for several months.
The group is also widely considered to have been seriously weakened, by a concerted Spanish and French crackdown.The group is also widely considered to have been seriously weakened, by a concerted Spanish and French crackdown.
Dozens of Eta militants, including successive leaders, have been arrested and jailed, and analysts say the group realises its days are numbered.Dozens of Eta militants, including successive leaders, have been arrested and jailed, and analysts say the group realises its days are numbered.
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