The Basque terrorist group, ETA, has officially asked to be forgiven today, announcing its dissolution in 15 days.

This announcement was made through the usual channel; i.e., the the Basque newspaper, GARA, and spoke of “immeasurable suffering, injuries, tortures, kidnappings and people having to flee the country,” recognising their responsibility in this, adding, “nothing of this kind should ever have happened, nor ever have lasted so long.”

A more controversial comment was that through error they had caused victims amongst people who had had nothing to do with the conflict, implying, some say, that there were two kinds of casualties, or as they interpret, that ETA has tried to make a distinction where there should be none.

“We understand that many consider that our deeds have been unacceptable and unjust, which we respect.”

There are voices amongst political parties that are calling for the Government to be at the altura de los acontecimientos; i.e., ‘rise to the occasion,’ and allow ETA prisoners to be transferred to jails within the Basque Country – at the moment they are scattered across the country.

In other words, to follow the lead of Queen Elisabeth II when she shook hands with s former IRA commander, Martin McGuinness (the man responsible for the murder of her husband’s uncle, Lord Mountbatten) in Windsor Castle as Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

However, hardliners will not hear of any concession to ETA and reiterate that it is not the case that ETA has simply decided to disband, but that the terrorist group has been utterly defeated by Spanish Democracy.

The final act that will end ETA’s existence will be on the 5th of May in France.

(News: Spain)