ETA’s announcement of a ceasefire on March 22 was initially met with great reservation, a sentiment explicable by the many similar pronouncements made by ETA in the past. Analysts also cautioned that the purpose behind ETA’s call for an armistice may have been to buy time to undergo restructuring and render the organization more effective, concurrently decelerating law enforcement officials’ counter-operations. Yet, TRC noted that ETA’s declaration for the first time employed the word “permanently,” indicating a new stance on the part of the separatist group and allowing for an concentrated dialogue to commence in order to assure that the mutual initiative this time is put into bona fide practice.
The incumbent Socialist Party (SP) has been keen to introduce negotiations with ETA, sharply contrasting with the preceding ruling party, the Popular Party (PP), that carried a much more hard-lined attitude toward the group and under whose rule the Batasuna (Unity) Party was banned. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s SP assumed the Spanish government in 2004, days after the Madrid train bombing campaign , and in 2005, the central government presented a proposition to start negotiations with the ETA, a motion that was approved by the Congress of Deputies. Notably, Congress emphasized that this effort did not include making any political concessions. Nevertheless, the initiative still seems to have prompted ETA’s final decision to lay down arms this year and resume peaceful negotiations, as they see a more perceptive administration in charge.
Zapatero, after affirming that the group has made an earnest effort to join the conciliation table, has given the green light for negotiations to begin. That the now reported meeting took place between the government and the separatist group itself indicates that Spain’s government has overcome its hesitation to engage in open talks with ETA representatives, many of whom have either been killed or arrested . Previous talks had mainly been conducted between the Spanish and Basque governments. Arnaldo Otegi, leader of Batasuna, which formally constitute the political wing of ETA, expressed great optimism, stating that the meeting has brought a momentous opportunity to settle the conflict.
The opposition leaders’ chorus of disapproval maintains that the new-fangled talks are morally wrong since ETA has not officially disavowed criminal acts. However, the government’s unwavering commitment to make Batasuna “part of the solution and not the problem” indicates a progressive development that might lead to constructive results. Even so, a discussion embracing a possible compromise on the issue of the self-determination for the Basqueland must be outlined. As TRC has noted, although talks about a possible secession remain off the table, some flexibility might have to be considered in order to ensure a peaceful resolution in the future.
