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Spanish PM Zapatero hails end to Basque Eta violence Spanish PM Zapatero hails end to Basque Eta violence
(about 2 hours later)
Spain's prime minister has hailed the end of Basque separatist group Eta's armed campaign as a "victory for democracy, law and reason".Spain's prime minister has hailed the end of Basque separatist group Eta's armed campaign as a "victory for democracy, law and reason".
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the 800 victims of Eta's 40-year struggle would be remembered forever and that the "terror" should never happen again.Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the 800 victims of Eta's 40-year struggle would be remembered forever and that the "terror" should never happen again.
On Thursday, Eta declared a "definitive cessation" to bombings and shootings.On Thursday, Eta declared a "definitive cessation" to bombings and shootings.
Politicians have previously rejected such announcements, with Eta having broken ceasefires before.Politicians have previously rejected such announcements, with Eta having broken ceasefires before.
But correspondents say this time appears to be different, with Thursday's move the latest step in what Eta has called its transition to peaceful methods.But correspondents say this time appears to be different, with Thursday's move the latest step in what Eta has called its transition to peaceful methods.
'Direct dialogue''Direct dialogue'
Mr Zapatero said after 40 years of bomb attacks and assassinations, Spain was now experiencing "legitimate satisfaction" at the victory over terror.Mr Zapatero said after 40 years of bomb attacks and assassinations, Spain was now experiencing "legitimate satisfaction" at the victory over terror.
"With the restraint that history imposes on us, we are today living legitimate satisfaction over the victory of democracy, law and reason."With the restraint that history imposes on us, we are today living legitimate satisfaction over the victory of democracy, law and reason.
"It is a satisfaction in mourning for the pain caused by violence that should never have happened and that should never happen again.""It is a satisfaction in mourning for the pain caused by violence that should never have happened and that should never happen again."
In a statement provided to the BBC on Thursday, Eta said it had renounced armed struggle as a tool for achieving an independent Basque state - a key demand by the Spanish government.In a statement provided to the BBC on Thursday, Eta said it had renounced armed struggle as a tool for achieving an independent Basque state - a key demand by the Spanish government.
The group said it faced "a historic opportunity to obtain a just and democratic solution to the age-old political conflict."The group said it faced "a historic opportunity to obtain a just and democratic solution to the age-old political conflict."
"Eta has decided on the definitive cessation of its armed activity," the statement said."Eta has decided on the definitive cessation of its armed activity," the statement said.
The announcement was made in a video showing three Eta members wearing trademark Basque berets and white masks.The announcement was made in a video showing three Eta members wearing trademark Basque berets and white masks.
The group said it would campaign for its cause through peaceful means, and called on the Spanish and French governments to respond with "a process of direct dialogue".The group said it would campaign for its cause through peaceful means, and called on the Spanish and French governments to respond with "a process of direct dialogue".
The new Spanish government to emerge after November's general election is to take charge of any 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 any 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.
Thursday's move followed 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.Thursday's move followed 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.
'Total defeat''Total defeat'
In September 2010, the group announced to the BBC a decision not to carry out further attacks.In September 2010, the group announced 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.
Relatives of victims killed by Eta say the group must disband and inform the authorities of any weapons or bomb-making material.Relatives of victims killed by Eta say the group must disband and inform the authorities of any weapons or bomb-making material.
"It is the hoped-for end, but not the desired one," Angeles Pedraza, president of a relatives' association, told the AP news agency."It is the hoped-for end, but not the desired one," Angeles Pedraza, president of a relatives' association, told the AP news agency.
"The victims want the attacks to stop, but we want them to pay for what they have done. We want the total defeat of Eta.""The victims want the attacks to stop, but we want them to pay for what they have done. We want the total defeat of Eta."
Spain's Socialist government has previously insisted that it will not negotiate on demands for Basque self-determination until Eta disbands.Spain's Socialist government has previously insisted that it will not negotiate on demands for Basque self-determination until Eta disbands.
Correspondents say the government is cautious about engaging in another peace process, after the last one failed.Correspondents say 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.
But observers say this time appears to be different, in part because the group is widely considered to have been seriously weakened, by a concerted Spanish and French crackdown.But observers say this time appears to be different, in part because the group is 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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