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| Eta declares Catalonia ceasefire |
| 2004-02-18 |
| The militant Basque separatist group Eta has declared a ceasefire for the Spanish region of Catalonia. Eta said it had suspended "armed actions" in Catalonia as of 1 January 2004 in order to strengthen ties between the Basque and Catalan people. "We’ve been getting our asses kicked, so it’s time to take a break" The news, broadcast by regional radio stations, comes weeks after Eta said it was extending its campaign against tourist targets in Spain. Eta has killed more than 800 people in its campaign since the late 1960s. And as soon as they finish R&R, they’ll be back. Catalunya Radio broadcast a statement from Eta on Wednesday which said the group "had ceased all its activities in the region as of 1 January, 2004 with the aim of uniting ties between the Basque and Catalan peoples on the basis of respect, non-interference and solidarity". "So, just stop hunting us down and throwing us in the clink, ok?" Eta decided to carry out attacks in Catalonia against Spanish and French state interests in the region in the 1980s, the message said, but the political situation had now changed. They’ve been losing. More details of the ceasefire are expected to be released later. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar is due to hold a press conference at 1415 (1315GMT) to give his response to the Eta statement, government sources say. You’ve got them on the ropes, don’t back down. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 Man, kidnapping just doesn't pay like it used to. |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2004-2-18 12:19:21 PM |