YESTERDAY’S CALL, by an international peace conference in San Sebastian, for a complete end to violence by the Basque pro-independence group Eta, should be welcomed by everyone of goodwill.
And so should its call to the Spanish and French governments to enter into dialogue with the group on so-called technical – but not political – issues: prisoners, victims, disarmament and so on, conditional on a definitive cessation of terrorism by Eta. Yet it is understandable that there is fierce hostility to any such dialogue, under any circumstances, in Spain. Eta has killed more than 800 people in a 50-year struggle for Basque independence. While the group was established under Franco’s unlamented dictatorship, most of its victims died under democratic governments in Madrid, which conceded extensive autonomy to the Basque region.
Moreover, Eta has declared that its war was over before, in ceasefires in 1998-99, and 2006, only to return to its bloody strategy when talks failed to satisfy its unrealistic demands. Nevertheless, as we know only too well in this country, conflicts about national identity are complex and deep-rooted, and Eta has not been the only villain in the Basque drama.
The use of death squads against Eta by elements in the Felipe Gonzalez’s administrations enabled the group to convince its numerous supporters that Spanish democracy was a facade for more sinister forces.
Meanwhile, politicised associations representing Eta victims are very well organised, and militantly oppose any clemency for Eta prisoners. But perhaps the underlying issues to the conflict are even more difficult to address than this grim legacy of cycles of violence. Many Basques simply do not feel Spanish, and do not want to be part of the Spanish State. Meanwhile, most Spaniards – and many Basques as well – consider the region an inherent part of the Spanish nation.
It is very difficult to see how such clashing aspirations can be reconciled, but the prominent international figures who attended the conference have much experience in this most difficult of political exercises, and deserve to be heard.
As well as calling for an end to violence, and for Eta-government dialogue, the delegates spoke of the need for recognition and reconciliation of the victims – on all sides. They suggested that dialogue among citizens themselves was the key to lasting peace, and they pointed out that third-party observers from other countries could often facilitate such discussions.
Their proposals are thoughtful and positive, and deserve more attention than the angry dismissal that has been the reaction of some victims’ associations.
There are legitimate fears that a defeated Eta is trying to use the international mediators as a cover to rewrite a shameful history of terrorism. That should not be allowed to happen. But nor should a moment when the great majority of Eta supporters are calling on the movement to disband be lost. Above all, the current election campaign in Spain should not be allowed to derail this very delicately balanced opportunity for peace.