Thursday, October 20, 2011

Breaking and good news: the end of terrorism in Spain

Source: El País, 22/03/2006


After more than forty years of violence, the terrorist organization ETA has communicated the definitive end of their "armed activity". At 19:00 Gara, a Basque independentist newspaper, has published ETA´s statement. All the media were waiting for this announcement, which could mean the beginning of the end of bombings, murders and threats. Although experience advises prudence, many people will sleep better tonight. 

Here you have the statement in English: 


And this is a brief history of ETA: 

11 comments:

Yolanda Abad said...

but Paqui we don't it sure because they can say a thing and do the opposite
you know?

Paqui Pérez Fons said...

Yes, Yolanda, we can´t be totally sure, but it´s a start and this is something that hasn´t happened in the past. We have to wait and see. I´ll cross my fingers. Many innocent people have died because of ETA and it´s time for peace.

Gute nacht!

Kelly said...

This is a fantastic moment in history. Violence is not the answer. Let us all hope that this peace will last.

Ana de la Fuente said...

Hello everybody!
In my opinion, this is a political strategy and if it was true, they should give the arms, apologize to the Spanish victims and the Spanish State. If it also will be true, they wouldn't put conditions. So anything more to add, this is my opinion and we will be it when the elections take place.
Bye bye!

Paqui Pérez Fons said...

Hello Ana,

This is the beginning of a long process. My impression is that they have decided to stop killing because they don´t have any other option, they are very weak and the majority of the population refuses violence. If the political parties (not only the one in the government)stay firm, this could be the end of so many years of blood and sorrow.

Have a nice weekend.

Kelly said...

Hello Ana and Paqui,
I agree with you both on specific points.

Like Ana, I think it's necessary for ETA to apologize to the victims' families in order to start the healing process. I am inspired by the stories of communities affected by violence which have the courage to come together, forgive and start to heal. I specifically think of the case of Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.

I also agree with Paqui in that I think that ETA realized that they had no choice to give up the violence because it wasn't helping them achieve their objectives since so many people reject violence.

Alejandro Torrillas said...

Hi everybody
This date would be remember as the day in which democracy has defeated violence not only with the stop of violence of ETA but also with the end of Gadafi's terror regime. I agree with all of you and specially with Ana after all they have done they can't put any condition because if we accept their condition we will justified their actions and the violence they use. The unconditional surrender and the dissolution of the band will be the last of a dark period in our country.
Bye see you next day!

Paqui Pérez Fons said...

Hello everybody,

My opinion is that we have laws and we have to use them to punish the crimes. If there is apology or repentance, reconciliation will come after, but this will be a long process. There is still much hate and and pain in the air. No more murders and threats is just the first step.

As for Gaddafi, I don´t think revenge is the best way of ending a terror regime and starting a new era. The people who killed Gaddafi have behaved in the same way he did with the opposition. I´ve read This article today and I think it perfectly explain that a democratic government can´t be build over retaliation and revenge. It´s in Spanish:

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/justicia/ajusticiamiento/elpepiint/20111022elpepiint_4/Tes

Why don´t you try the challenge? It´s very interesting and quite easy.

See you on Monday.

Yolanda Rubio said...

Hello everybody!
I don't know if what ETA has said is true but I'll cross my fingers like Paqui, because it's very important they stop to kill innocent people.

Yesterday I watched a film and it ended with the attack on the twin towers, the 11th of September of 2003. I cried a lot and I thought how many people has died. It was made by Bin Laden and he has nothing to do with Gaddafi or ETA but we must have hope and hope for peace.

bye bye kisses

Paqui Pérez Fons said...

Hello Yolanda,

Violence is not the answer in any case, because it generates more violence and we are humans, not hominids. We have evolved and we can´t get things or solve conflicts shedding blood, as they did in Prehistory or in the Middle Ages.We have other instruments: dialogue, pacific protests, elections... Remember the enlightened philosophers: tolerance to the others´opinions. There is another Kant´s quote I try to follow: "I ought never to act except in such a way that I could also will that my maxim should become a universal law". In other words: Don´t do unto others what you don´t want others do unto you.


What film did you watch? I´m thinking about "United 93", but that plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
I like that you´re sensitive with others´suffering.

See you next day.

Laura Meco said...

I have read all your opinions and the only thing I'm sure is that anybody wants violence anymore! It's really sad to see all the people dying.
LET'S CROSS OUR FINGERS!!!