Today, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, namely ETA does not exist anymore. After 60 years of existence, the separatist organization announced its dissolution. It aimed the independence of « Euskal Herria« , the Spanish and French Basque Country.
This final declaration has been distributed to all press. ETA alleged it had « dismantled all of its structures » and « put an end to all political activity ». The announcement began this Wednesday with a letter dedicated to the ones who encouraged the dissolution by renouncing to violence, such as former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan or former Irish Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. Today, following the last final announcement of the dissolution, an « international conference » is organized in Cambo-les-bains (the French Basque Country), where are expected Gerry Adams and representatives of several Spanish parties in order to guarantee the good faith of the ETA.
Founded in 1959 under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, ETA made at least 829 victims through assassinations and bombings in Spain and France. Last, ETA already made a first statement presenting apologies to some of the victims that they considered did not have « direct responsibility”. Indeed, ETA recognized « the suffering caused as a result of its struggle ».
However, most ETA victims are reluctant to its actions. In a press conference in San Sebastian (which has experienced the most attacks) the Collective of Victims of Terrorism (Covite) demanded that ETA condemn terror and stop paying tribute to its activists. They are also demanding an explanation of 358 unsolved crimes.
Moreover, the Spanish government joined the victims. So far, it refuses any compensation for the dissolution of ETA. « Whatever it does, ETA will not find any flaws nor impunity for its crimes, » Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy declared Thursday. « We owe it nothing and we do not have to be grateful for anything ».
With the end of all ETA activities, dies the latest armed insurgency in Western Europe.
Ludivine Plenchette
For further information:
http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2018/05/02/01003-20180502ARTFIG00250-l-eta-annonce-sa-dissolution.php
http://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2018/05/03/la-dissolution-de-l-eta-une-fin-symbolique-qui-ne-console-pas-ses-victimes_5294034_3210.html
http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1505/Monde/article/detail/3419072/2018/05/03/La-declaration-finale-de-l-ETA.dhtml