ETA apologises for killings of civilians, before disbandment
BILBAO: Basque separatist group ETA asked forgiveness from its victims for the first time on Friday for the “pain” caused by its decades-long campaign of violence, in a penultimate step towards disbandment.
It was the most comprehensive apology yet by the group, which a mediator says is set to announce its dissolution in a historic declaration within days. ETA waged a nearly four-decade campaign of bombings and shootings for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southern France. “We have caused great pain throughout this long period of armed struggle .... We know this harm cannot be mended,” it said in a statement published in the Basque newspaper Gara.
“We wish to express our respect to all the victims of ETA’s actions, in that they were harmed as a consequence of the conflict, whether they were killed, injured or harmed in any other way. We are truly sorry.”
Created in 1959 at the height of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, ETA is blamed for the deaths of at least 829 people before it announced a permanent ceasefire in 2011. “Due to the various requirements of the armed struggle, our activity has harmed a number of people who had no responsibility whatsoever in the conflict,” ETA said.