The end of ETA
Basque terrorist group that struck 29 times in the Valencia region during its reign of terror announces its dissolution
BASQUE terrorist group ETA announced its final dissolution on Wednesday, as Costa Blanca News last week reported it was planning to do.
In an open letter, the group acknowledges the 'suf- fering caused as a consequence of its fight', but also blames the Spanish and French govenrnments for 'extending its end' and 'increasing the suffering'.
Victims' associations have expressed opposition and de- manded justice continues to be applied.
"We cannot simply wipe their slate clean," said victims, who will oppose any kind of amnesty.
ETA's terror campaign did not focus only on the Basque Country. From 1985 to 2007, ETA committed 29 attacks in the Valencia region, killing 11 people including a six-year-old girl.
Throughout reign of terror that began in 1959, ETA was responsible for the death of 853 people and over 100 hijackings.
THE HISTORIC announcement made by Basque terrorist group ETA on Wednesday, saying they were putting 'an end to their historic cycle', thus officially ceasing their activities, has been met with mixed feelings.
The announcement was actually an open letter dated April 16, in which ETA stated it has 'completely dismantled' its infrastructures.
Although ETA claims it has ceased its activity, it insists the 'political conflict' has not ended and hold the Spanish and French governments responsible for 'extending' the suffering.
ETA has thus effectively told international mediators it is disolving the organisation and admits its fight has caused suffering, however there have been no apologies for the victims.
This led victims' associations to immediately call a press conference to express their 'disappointment' over this fact and to launch a campaign under the logo 'We cannot set the count to zero' - in reference to the victims and crimes committed and the need to bring terrorists to justice over their actions (see photo).
The same thought was expressed by Minister for the Interior Juan Ignacio Zoido, who stated that 'ETA had already been dissolved and defeated by the state security forces', and he demanded their full cooperation in solving ' pending crimes' for which the terrorists will be 'persecuted wherever they are'.
Since it began its terrorist activities in 1959 - first against the Franco regime and then pushing for Basque independence - ETA has been held responsible for 853 murders.
ETA's last fatal victim was French security agent Jean Serge Nérin on March 16, 2010. The first person the terrorists openly admitted to have killed was Guardia Civil officer Jose´ Pardines almost 50 years ago (assassinated in June 1968).
ETA's reign of terror includes hundreds of bomb attacks, cold-blooded shootings, extorsion and hijackings.
It is estimated 2,597 people have been injured in ETA attacks, over 10,000 have been extorted, and over 100,000 forced to leave the Basque Country and neighbouring Navarra due to death threats.
Targets were not only in the Basque Country; Madrid was often hit by the terrorists and so was Barcelona.
The Costas also suffered ETA's terror on 29 occasions in which 11 people were killed - including the six-year-old daughter of a Guardia Civil officer based in Santa Pola in August 2002.