Tuesday, February 08, 2011

A cautious welcome

Batasuna, the political wing of ETA was outlawed in 2003 and so has been unable to field candidates in elections since then. Still,  ETA wants its pro-independence voice to be heard and so has formed a new party which, as yet, has not been given a name.

The organisers of the new party say that they reject and oppose the use violence, even the threat of using violence. However, the main parties in Spain remain sceptical. After 25 years of supporting violent means to achieve independence, when 825 people lost their lives at the hands of ETA, everyone is naturally wary that the new party  will be the same  Batasuna under a different name.

ETA declared a ceasefire last September which they announced would be made permanent at the start of this year. That is probably more to do with the fact that many of its leaders have now been arrested and that grass root support has dwindled than its desire to give up the cause.

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