We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
SPAIN’S GOVERNMENT has flatly rejected an offer by the armed Basque group ETA to negotiate its disarmament and dissolution.
ETA, blamed for 829 killings in more than four decades of fighting for a Basque homeland, said last night it was ready to discuss disarming and disbanding with France and Spain under certain conditions.
The group, which last year said it had abandoned violence, said in a statement on Basque newspaper Gara’s website that one outstanding issue was the transfer of Basque prisoners to jails closer to home.
But Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party government refused to consider talks with ETA.
“They know that we have not negotiated nor will we negotiate in any way with the terrorist organisation,” interior minister Fernandez Diaz told reporters.
“So the only statement the government demands, not requests but demands and is working for, is its unconditional dissolution,” he said.
ETA is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union.
Repeated raids and arrests by Spanish security forces in cooperation with its allies, especially France, have severely weakened the group.
Its last attack on Spanish soil was in August 2009.
Both Spain and France insist on the complete dismantling of ETA’s arsenal and its unconditional dissolution. The Spanish government has repeatedly ruled out talks with ETA over its prisoners.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Spain should at least open talks with peace being the ultimate goal.
That’s a great attitude to have. If people didn’t negotiate with terrorists, the ira would never have spoke to the british government.The Spanish government should learn from our peace process.
Even Hamas speak to the israeli government.
they not terrorists. they’re freedom fighters.
I agree padraig. Read my comment again, maybe I should’ve pointed out who I believe are the real terrorists.
The IRA I take it?
Whoever stands for a just cause and fights for freedom cannot possibly be called a terrorist.
killing innocent people as an armed illegal militia regardless of your cause males you a terrorist
Eugene, agreed, but it seems you have attracted the red thumbs down brigade. Freedom fighters? Freedom from what exactly? The security forces aim was to restore law and order and the defeat of terrorism. Armed militia are terrorists and when their activity decreased so to the security forces. Coupled with this was dialogue – that has enabled us to move slowly forward.
Red thumbs commence!
The previous PP goverment under Aznar negotiated with ETA all hush hush while openly stating they would never engage with them, in part spain has ETA to thank in part for their transision to democracy from the franco dictatorship with the killing of Carrero Blanco, He was one of Francos most hardline and loyal followers, with him dead Franco had no option but to appoint the name the Prince Juan Carlos as succesor to him, without his staunch supporter to keep the young prince in check Juan Carlos was negotiating in private with the political exiles about dismantling the regime and legalising political partys as soon as Franco died and is quite unique in that he is the only king to be elected by a democratic process because he let a vote decide if he was to remain king or not.because he.was named by Franco as his succesor
All governments talk to “terrorists”. Every single one that had a problem with terrorists has had to deal with them.
Don’t know as much as I’d like about their situation. But thousands of people marching for peace and eta willing to talk-seems like the Spanish government are being irresponsible by not taking this opportunity-they are obligated to do their best by all their people and will have no excuse if it ever kicks off again-they will never be able to say “well at least we tried”
And that is exactly what the spanish government wants… They need ETA to exist, it draws attention away from all other issues in the country.
Funny they won’t negotiate or respond to terrorism but they pulled their troops out of Iraq after just one bombing on a train. That sends a message that they do respond to terrorism.
Before I get lots of red thumbs I am not saying that the Iraq war was right or wrong. I am commenting on Spain’s government response to terrorist attacks. What they say and what they do are different.
Nick now that you brought it up… When those bombs were put on the trains, Spain was about to have general elections. The government kept blaming ETA for a week at least, while the rest of the world knew it hadn’t been them. The only reason for that were the votes, the party in charge needed them. But the lies did just the opposite and they lost. The PSOE won the elections and apparently one of the promises made during the campaign was to bring the troops back.
Mind you… The PP is in charge again so back to “Franco era”.
have your say