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21/10/2011
Blair 'Ready To Help' After ETA Ceasefire
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he welcomes the "definitive" ceasefire by Spanish separatists ETA, saying he "stands ready to help".
The statement, released on Thursday, ended more than five decades of armed struggle by the group who had carried out a violent campaign to win independence for the Basque region from Spain.
Speaking in response to the announcement, Mr Blair, who is the current Middle East envoy for the United Nations, said: "I warmly welcome today's historic and unconditional statement by ETA ending more than 50 years of violence.
"On the basis of my experience in Northern Ireland I know how difficult it is to end a conflict, and I congratulate Prime Minister Zapatero, Alfredo Rubalcaba and all the Spanish political parties for standing firm and making it clear there would be no concessions until violence was over while always holding out the hand of peace to ETA if that happened."
Since 1968, ETA has been blamed for killing some 829 people, while over 700 of their members are currently in Spanish and French jails.
ETA were founded by a student group called Ekin in the early 1950s, opposed to the Franco regime and the failures of the Basque Nationalist Party.
Mr Blair added: "After the Spanish election a new government will take on the burden of dealing with the consequences of the conflict.
"Peace in Spain is crucial to all of us in the EU and the international community more generally and we must give Spain all the support we can in this endeavour. I stand ready to help personally in any way I can.
"The last armed confrontation in Europe is finally over. We should all welcome this and work together to make peace irreversible."
See: ETA 'Cessation' Welcomed In NI
(DW/BMcC)
The statement, released on Thursday, ended more than five decades of armed struggle by the group who had carried out a violent campaign to win independence for the Basque region from Spain.
Speaking in response to the announcement, Mr Blair, who is the current Middle East envoy for the United Nations, said: "I warmly welcome today's historic and unconditional statement by ETA ending more than 50 years of violence.
"On the basis of my experience in Northern Ireland I know how difficult it is to end a conflict, and I congratulate Prime Minister Zapatero, Alfredo Rubalcaba and all the Spanish political parties for standing firm and making it clear there would be no concessions until violence was over while always holding out the hand of peace to ETA if that happened."
Since 1968, ETA has been blamed for killing some 829 people, while over 700 of their members are currently in Spanish and French jails.
ETA were founded by a student group called Ekin in the early 1950s, opposed to the Franco regime and the failures of the Basque Nationalist Party.
Mr Blair added: "After the Spanish election a new government will take on the burden of dealing with the consequences of the conflict.
"Peace in Spain is crucial to all of us in the EU and the international community more generally and we must give Spain all the support we can in this endeavour. I stand ready to help personally in any way I can.
"The last armed confrontation in Europe is finally over. We should all welcome this and work together to make peace irreversible."
See: ETA 'Cessation' Welcomed In NI
(DW/BMcC)
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Spanish Mayor Plays Down 'Little Bomb' Blast
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12 March 2004
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UN passes resolution condemning ETA as 'threat to peace'
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the Basque separatist group Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA) saying that it regards them as "a threat to peace and security.
29 June 2012
Eta Pair Arrested Over Terrorism Offences
Two men have been arrested in connection with alleged terrorist offences in Spain. At approximately 4am this morning, Friday, 29 June, two men, aged 39 and 55 years were arrested under Section 5 of the Extradition Act by detectives in an operation led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
Eta Pair Arrested Over Terrorism Offences
Two men have been arrested in connection with alleged terrorist offences in Spain. At approximately 4am this morning, Friday, 29 June, two men, aged 39 and 55 years were arrested under Section 5 of the Extradition Act by detectives in an operation led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
12 March 2004
ETA remain chief suspects, but Aznar rules nothing out
The Spanish Prime Minister has pledged to bring the perpetrators of yesterday's terror bombings in Madrid to justice, as the government continues to insist that the Basque separatist group ETA were behind the attacks. It is now thought that up to four bombs exploded on a train shortly after 6.30am local time as it approached Atocha rail station.
ETA remain chief suspects, but Aznar rules nothing out
The Spanish Prime Minister has pledged to bring the perpetrators of yesterday's terror bombings in Madrid to justice, as the government continues to insist that the Basque separatist group ETA were behind the attacks. It is now thought that up to four bombs exploded on a train shortly after 6.30am local time as it approached Atocha rail station.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
