ETA calls a halt to extortion of businesses

ETA yesterday took another unilateral step forward in its attempts to convince Spanish authorities of the veracity of its January ceasefire when it announced it would stop extorting money from businesses.

The largest employers' association in the Basque Country, Confebask, and CEN in Navarre, confirmed they had received a written statement from ETA in which it announced "the demand for payment of the 'revolutionary tax' [the blackmail businesses are subjected to] that has habitually been carried out is canceled."

Confebask, which represents 13,000 Basque companies, and CEN, which groups together 60 business associations, both confirmed receipt of the letter on April 26. The authenticity of the missive, in which ETA stated the motive for its gesture was "the strength of the social sector it represents" was confirmed through normal channels.

The last round of extortion demands in Navarre was sent last October and there have been none received in the Basque Country since ETA declared its latest ceasefire. José Antonio Sarría, the president of CEN, said his organization had taken the letter "very seriously" but called for patience. "On many occasions we have seen our hopes dashed," he added. Since the formation of ETA, 40 business people have been murdered and 50 kidnapped as part of the terrorists' efforts to finance their activities.

The abertzale left claimed the ETA annoucement "goes to show once more the commitment and will of the organization to drive the democratic process and the definitive end to the cycle of armed confrontation." Basque business leader Enrique Portocarrero called on ETA to "not make conditional the debate over Bildu candidacies" and to maintain its decision "before and after the [May 22] elections."