[xtypo_dropcap]T[/xtypo_dropcap]he Basque separatist movement ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) Sept. 5, announced it will cease armed actions in its fight for independence, in a video reported by Gara (a Basque language paper), and the BBC. It is unclear whether the ceasefire is temporary or permanent and the Spanish government has not issued an official response.
The announcement said the ceasefire was decided months ago so that a democratic process could be put into motion. Two radical Basque political parties hope to participate in upcoming municipal elections in 2011, and hope the ceasefire will put a ban on the parties, according to Dutch language paper, de Volkskrant.
The statement has been received as a positive step. Njaki Soto, deputy editor of Gara told BBC "I think that's it's something that the majority of the Basque society was waiting [for] or expecting and in that sense I think that it's something that no one can say that it's negative."
There are sounds of caution from politicians as the movement, founded in 1959, previously announced two ceasefires without following through.
The group wants an independent Basque, an area consisting of parts of southwest France and northern Spain. Violent actions by the ETA—bombings and kidnappings—in the passed 40 years have killed more than 800 people.
