SPAIN: Mixed reaction in Basque country to separatist group ETA's ceasefire

Record ID: 735253

  • Title: SPAIN: Mixed reaction in Basque country to separatist group ETA's ceasefire
  • Date: 6th September 2010
  • Summary: BILBAO, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 5, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE EXTERIOR OF GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM IN BILBAO (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED BILBAO RESIDENT SAYING: "It's something that has to happen. We'll see." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED BILBAO RESIDENT, SAYING: "I don't think that is going to get to the end. Because they always claim, when it suits them, a ceasefire and then they ask for something and when not given they go back again to the arms. I don't think that is going to last for long." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED BILBAO RESIDENT SAYING: "I hope once and for all we have peace, calm. At the end, the world is for all human beings and we should not be divided. I think it, I hope (it will mean peace)." PEOPLE WALKING IN BILBAO STREETS MORE OF PEOPLE WALKING
  • Embargoed: 21st September 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA4GZ0CCWURJH77951PBDUOBP2A
  • Story Text: New hope on the streets of Bilbao following announcement of truce by Basque separatist group ETA - but also some scepticism.
    Sunday's (September 5) statement from the Basque separatist group ETA that it's to stop armed attacks was met with a mixed response from the people of Bilbao in the heart of Basque country.
    The announcement was published on the Gara newspaper website.
    One man said "It's something that has to happen. We'll see."
    But another had his doubts how long any truce would last.
    "Because they always claim, when it suits them, a ceasefire and then they ask for something and when not given they go back again to the arms. I don't think that is going to last for long," he said.
    However, some remain optimistic.
    "I hope once and for all we have peace, calm. At the end, the world is for all human beings and we should not be divided." said another.
    Spanish Interior ministry officials declined to comment on the statement by ETA, which has been responsible for around 850 deaths in a four-decade fight to carve out an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southern France.
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