In Basque country

Euskadi Ta Askatasuna. Theres nothing like it in the Spanish language. For nearly five decades the name has evoked secrecy,violence and fear none of which,of course,has had anything to do with the fact that ETA spells itself in the Basque language,or that its name means Basque Homeland and Freedom. The Basque Country was always different,its language and culture having no historic links to the rest of Iberia. Under Franco,Basques were pulverised,their language forbidden,their culture under erasure. In fact,ETAs founding in 1959 and its violent campaign for Basque independence since the 60s is a legacy of El Generalissimo. ETA has a history of declaring ceasefires and violating them soon after,the last being in 2006. Thus the Basque regional government is sceptical about Sundays ceasefire declaration,while the Spanish government will not negotiate till ETA disarms and renounces violence. ETA hasnt conceded so much,except its claim to work towards democratic means. Yet,this declaration was made to the BBC,not to any Spanish paper or channel. Could ETA,classified as terrorist by the US and EU,be at least wishing to draw international attention,if not look for an IRA-type solution?

The facts: effective policing by Spain and France for long an ETA haven; some of the seven Basque regions claimed by ETA lie in southwest France has landed most top ETA leaders in jail; Basque nationalist parties,including the banned Batasuna ETAs political wing have been pressuring the outfit; its popular support has steadily dwindled since the late 90s; after the March 2004 Madrid train bombings by Al Qaeda,ETA seemed to realise violence wouldnt pay. Perhaps a cornered ETA feels a change of government in Spains next general election will queer its pitch altogether. In any case,for this ceasefire call to head anywhere,the onus lies wholly on the outfit.