Basque left prepares for ETA's demise

The Basque radical abertzale left says it is now more prepared for the long-awaited day when ETA will announce a permanent ceasefire and disband for good. Recent steps that have been taken by the Basque terrorist group have all so far been positive signs that the next stage will be the armed group's final breakup, abertzale leaders said.

ETA has agreed to cooperate with the recently created international commission for verification of a ceasefire, which was established under auspices of the abertzale and international mediator Brian Currin, according to reports published in the pro-Basque independence dailies Berria and Gara.

Nevertheless, ETA complains that "restrictions" imposed by Spain and France are making the peace process difficult. The central and Basque governments have refused to meet with members of the commission, which was created last Wednesday. Officials said that law enforcement authorities do not need an "external force" to help determine if a ceasefire is in place.

In a similar vein are recent comments made by National Police and Civil Guard director general Francisco Javier Velázquez, who said it was up to Spain's anti-terrorism squads to verify whether ETA has finally disbanded. "If you see a terrorist, verify who he is and arrest him," Velázquez said.

ETA's latest statement came hours after its legal committee Ekin, which was created 12 years ago to impart instructions to the now-outlawed Batasuna party, was also dissolved. Two members of Ekin admitted to Gara that the decision to break up the group is part of a change of strategy by the abertzale left.

Late last month some 700 prison inmates publicly announced that they would support the Gernika Accord, which was signed by the abertzale left in March, calling for a peaceful political solution for the Basque Country and an end to violence.