Post by RedFlag32 on Sept 26, 2006 9:13:11 GMT
Basque militants refuse to disarm
Eta announced a permanent ceasefire in March
Basque separatist group Eta has said it will not relinquish weapons until
the region gets independence from Spain.
Three hooded gunmen told an Eta rally in northern Spain their fight was
not a thing of the past, despite a ceasefire announced six months ago.
Speaking after the statement, Spain's prime minister said he would work
towards ending 40 years of violence.
His government has indicated that it is ready to talk to Eta, but has
ruled out Basque independence.
Spain had their chance to be tough on terror and blew it
James, Toronto, ON
Send us your comments
The BBC's Danny Wood, in the Spanish capital Madrid, says this is the
sixth communication by the armed separatist group since it declared a
permanent ceasefire in March.
He says it could be the strongest sign yet that Eta is not prepared to
give up the violent struggle for independence - or just a strategy before
starting talks with the national government.
Shots fired
Saturday's rally was held in the town of Aritxulegi, near San Sebastian.
In their statement, reported by Basque media, the hooded gunmen said:
"Until we achieve independence and socialism in the Basque country, we
reaffirm our commitment to keep taking up arms firmly.
"The fight is not a thing of the past. It is the present and the future."
After the announcement, the militants fired shots into the air and
disappeared into the forest.
In a speech in Barcelona, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
said: "We are going to be firm as we go forward.
"The rules of the game are clear: respect for the law and peace, and peace
means the absence of violence, of absolutely any kind of violence ... The
end of violence has no price."
But the leader of Spain's conservative opposition, Mariano Rajoy, said the
statement was a reminder that negotiating with terrorists was pointless.
"Eta has not changed - Eta is still a terrorist organisation," he said.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5375834.stm
Eta announced a permanent ceasefire in March
Basque separatist group Eta has said it will not relinquish weapons until
the region gets independence from Spain.
Three hooded gunmen told an Eta rally in northern Spain their fight was
not a thing of the past, despite a ceasefire announced six months ago.
Speaking after the statement, Spain's prime minister said he would work
towards ending 40 years of violence.
His government has indicated that it is ready to talk to Eta, but has
ruled out Basque independence.
Spain had their chance to be tough on terror and blew it
James, Toronto, ON
Send us your comments
The BBC's Danny Wood, in the Spanish capital Madrid, says this is the
sixth communication by the armed separatist group since it declared a
permanent ceasefire in March.
He says it could be the strongest sign yet that Eta is not prepared to
give up the violent struggle for independence - or just a strategy before
starting talks with the national government.
Shots fired
Saturday's rally was held in the town of Aritxulegi, near San Sebastian.
In their statement, reported by Basque media, the hooded gunmen said:
"Until we achieve independence and socialism in the Basque country, we
reaffirm our commitment to keep taking up arms firmly.
"The fight is not a thing of the past. It is the present and the future."
After the announcement, the militants fired shots into the air and
disappeared into the forest.
In a speech in Barcelona, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
said: "We are going to be firm as we go forward.
"The rules of the game are clear: respect for the law and peace, and peace
means the absence of violence, of absolutely any kind of violence ... The
end of violence has no price."
But the leader of Spain's conservative opposition, Mariano Rajoy, said the
statement was a reminder that negotiating with terrorists was pointless.
"Eta has not changed - Eta is still a terrorist organisation," he said.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5375834.stm
