Eta urged to totally renounce violence

Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and other delegates to a conference on the conflict in Spain’s Basque region have urged the armed separatist group Eta to renounce violence.

Eta declared a permanent ceasefire in January, but has not renounced armed struggle as a tool for achieving an independent Basque state. It has killed 829 people in bombings and shootings since the late 1960s.

The delegates in San Sebastian said Eta should request dialogue with Spain and France on the consequences of the conflict.

Such wording often refers to issues such as what to do with the 800 or so Eta prisoners in jails around the country – Eta wants them moved closer to their families – and how to disarm Eta.

The appeal was made in a statement after the conference organised by Basque pro-independence activists and parties and attended by international figures including Mr Annan and Mr Adams, leader of the political arm of the now-defunct IRA.

The Spanish government and leading opposition conservative Popular Party did not attend. They insist Eta must simply abandon arms and dissolve.