Militants ‘truly’ sorry for war

DISSOLVING: VICTIMS IN FRANCE, SPAIN GET APOLOGY

Madrid

The Basque militant group ETA yesterday apologised for the harm caused to victims and their relatives during its half-century-long violent campaign to create an independent state in northern Spain and southwest France.

The apology comes as the group is expected to announce its final dissolution early next month, just over a year after it ended its armed separatist campaign by surrendering guns and explosives.

The group declared a ceasefire in 2011 and handed over weapons caches in April 2017, bringing a close to Western Europe’s last major armed insurgency.

“We are aware that during this long period of armed struggle we have created a lot of pain, including many damages for which there is no solution. We want to show respect for the dead, those injured and the victims that were caused by the actions of ETA. We truly apologise,” the group said in a statement published by Basque newspaper Gara.

“Looking forward, reconciliation is one of the tasks that has to be carried out in the Basque Country, something that is already happening between citizens. It is a needed exercise to acknowledge the truth in a constructive way, and heal wounds,” it said.

The Spanish government welcomed the apology.

“The victims, their memory and their dignity have been decisive in defeating ETA,” the prime minister’s office said.

“ETA should have apologised for the harm caused in a sincere and unconditional way a long time ago.”