Analysis: Peace process broker hails 'positive step'

Published on Monday 10 January 2011 16:48

WHATEVER the response from Madrid, South African lawyer Brian Currin - brought in by Batasuna as a broker to facilitate the peace process - is optimistic about this announcement.

"This is the beginning of the end of ETA's engagement in armed struggle. It is a positive step," Currin said.

Last March, Currin was instrumental in bringing in international political figures including Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu together to sign the "Brussels Declaration" urging ETA to call a permanent ceasefire.

For the first time in its 51 years, ETA has claimed it has made a "firm commitment towards a process to achieve a lasting resolution." But the terrorist group also warns in its statement that it "will continue its indefatigable struggle and efforts to promote and to bring to a conclusion the democratic process".

However, according to Currin, this does not mean that ETA will return to violence.

He said: "ETA wants to play a role in negotiations on certain issues, including security, prisoners and exiled members of the organisation.

"The immediate challenge is to set up an international monitoring body (to verify the ceasefire]."

Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba flatly rejected ETA's offer, but there is a further dimension at play.

Rubalcaba is the current favourite to succeed Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero as leader of Spain's ruling socialist party in the general elections in 2012 - a successful peace process could bolster his chances of becoming prime minister.

At the moment it suits him to be tough with the terrorist group - it is weakened, with many leaders in prison and declining public support.

But if ETA moves to abolition in the next few months, it will surely find a more positive response from Rubalcaba.