ETA: Yes to lasting ceasefire

THE armed Basque separatist group ETA is ready to observe a permanent and verifiable ceasefire, two members of the outfit said in an interview published yesterday.

“ETA is willing to take that step and also to go further if the conditions for it are created,” the unnamed ETA members told the pro-independence Basque newspaper Gara, which has often published statements from the group.

The ETA members said a halt in offensive actions announced earlier by the group was long term, and that the group would like to see a dialogue on ending the conflict with discussions involving Basque parties and civic groups.