Spain's Eta 'declares ceasefire´

Armed Basque separatist group Eta says it will not "carry out armed actions" in its campaign for independence.

In a video obtained exclusively by the BBC, the group said it took the decision several months ago "to put in motion a democratic process".

The Spanish government has not responded. In the past it has said it will only negotiate with Eta if it renounces violence and disarms.

Eta's violent campaign has led to more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years.


It has called two ceasefires in the past, but abandoned them both.

Under pressure
It is unclear whether Eta is declaring a permanent or temporary ceasefire.

In the video obtained by the BBC, three hooded Eta fighters are shown sitting behind a desk with the Eta flag pinned up behind them.

The figure in the middle reads out a prepared statement defending Eta's campaign of violence, but towards the end she says the group now wants to achieve its aims by peaceful, democratic means.

"Eta confirms its commitment to finding a democratic solution to the conflict," the statement says.

"In its commitment to a democratic process to decide freely and democratically our future, through dialogue and negotiations, Eta is prepared today as yesterday to agree to the minimum democratic conditions necessary to put in motion a democratic process, if the Spanish government is willing," it adds.


"We call on all Basque citizens to continue in the struggle, each in their own field, with whatever degree of commitment they have, so that we can all cast down the wall of denial and make irreversible moves forward on the road to freedom."

Founded in 1959, Eta has since then waged a bloody campaign for independence for the seven regions in northern Spain and south-west France that Basque separatists claim as their own.

This latest announcement comes after the arrests of numerous Eta leaders and during an unprecedented period of debate within the Basque nationalist community over the future direction of policy, says the BBC's Clive Myrie in San Sebastian.

Eta has been coming under increasing pressure to lay down its weapons, our correspondent adds.

Controversial peace talks in 2006 collapsed after an Eta bomb killed two people at Madrid airport.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11191395