by Migeru
Wed Mar 22nd, 2006 at 08:50:30 AM EST
El Pais: ETA declares a permanent cease-fire (22-03-2006 - 12:52)
The terrorist gang claims in a communique that its goal is "to propel the democratic process in Euskal Herria [Basque Country] to build a new framework in which [our] rights [as a people] are recognised"
ETA has released a communique this morning in which they declare a permanent cease-fire taking effect this coming Friday. In the document the terrorist gang stresses its "commitment to keep taking steps" towards peace and challenges Spain and France to recognise the results of the [peace] process "without any kinds of limitations". The text ends stating that "overcoming the conflict, here and now, is possible. That is the wish and the will of ETA".
Update [2006-3-22 8:9:6 by Migeru]: Interestingly, El Pais has changed their headline to
ETA announces a "ceasefire" (22-03-2006 - 14:01)
The vicepresident of the Government [deputy PM], María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, has said it “is good news for all Spaniards” but called to being “more cautious than ever”.
Update [2006-3-22 9:22:23 by Migeru]: Now it is
"Permanent cease-fire" from ETA.
If I were still a student I'd spent 48 hours blogging non-stop. As it is, I'll have to leave it to others to add updates in the comments, and front-pagers can edit my diary to add important stuff if they want
Use Google News.
Update [2006-3-22 7:26:12 by Migeru]: I'm copying here kcurie's diary.
Probably the news of the decade. At least the news everybody was talking about and nobody dared to utter.
ETA, the terrorist group, has declared a permanent ceasefire. The first time ever ETA declares that a ceasefire is "permanent".
There had been rumours all around. President Zapatero hinted it quite a lot of times... and today.. it is all over the place.
I do not have time to a more in depth diary. I take a taxi to the airport in twenty minutes. I have been preparing this trip for a month... and for a month I hardly could read the diaries...and almost no time for comment...Sorry
I wait for the in depths diaries from the spanish troupe...meanwhile....
meanwhile....
let me tell you that today I am little bit happy... well what the hell.. very happy....
As long as it gets!!!!
Anybody is with me???? Like we say .. put the cava in the fridge but do not open it yet....it will be a long ride untill it is over..
Update [2006-3-22 7:41:22 by Migeru]: Political Reactions (none from the government yet)
El Pais:
San Gil: "ETA had to do something given Zapatero's continuous concessions."
Maria San Gil is the leader of the PP in the Basque Country.
Update [2006-3-22 10:46:41 by Migeru]: El Pais has also gathered
International reactions.
Does anyone have time to translate the comments by the various politicians? Use Babelfish if you must.
Update [2006-3-22 11:1:41 by Migeru]: El Pais:
Zapatero: "It is a long and difficult road that all [political] parties shall have to traverse together" (22-03-2006 - 14:09)
The President of the Government [PM] offers his hand especially to the PP "so that this process ends as we all wish"
The President of the Government [PM], José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has requested “prudence and caution” after the announcement of a ceasefire by the terrorist organization ETA, as in his opinion “any peace process after so many yeaars of horror will be long and difficult”. The Chief Executive has offered his hand to all political forces, and especially the PP, to arrive at a good harbour [this is a common Spanish idiom], “united by our hope”.
Update [2006-3-22 7:54:6 by Migeru]: For press review purposes: