ETA renounces violence, calls for dialogue

ETA renounces violence, calls for dialogue

General 10/20/2011 10:40:00 PM

MADRID, Oct 20 (KUNA) -- The Basque separatist group ETA announced in a statement Thursday full cessation of armed struggle, calling for dialogue with Spain and France to end the half-century long conflict.
The announcement by the 'Euskadi ta Askatasuna' (ETA or the Basque Homeland and Freedom) comes in the wake of the International Conference for Conflict Resolution, held in the city of San Sebastian, Basque region, on Monday.
The statement welcomed the conference as a helpful initiative that has had significant political dimensions.
The conference resulted in essential points that could help find a comprehensive settlement to the conflict; it enjoys large-scale support from the residents in Basque and the international community at large, the statement pointed out.
The Basque region is witnessing a historic opportunity for establishing fair and democratic system, putting an end to violence and repression, and opening new chapter in the history of the region, it went on.
The group renewed its call for the international community to recognize the independence of the region and respect the will of its residents as well as their aspirations for freedom and peace.
It noted that this historic moment is the fruit of a long and painful struggle over the last five decades, adding that the experiences of the past will give momentum to the group in tacking the challenging of the future (pickup previous) hnd.gb KUNA 202240 Oct 11NNNN