ETA declares a ceasefire

THE Basque armed group ETA has issued a statement saying it is ending its 43-year armed campaign for independence, and calling on Spain and France to open talks.

The group made the announcement in a statement last night to the Basque daily, Gara, which it regularly uses as a mouthpiece.

ETA declared a permanent ceasefire in January, but until now had not renounced armed struggle as a tool for achieving an independent Basque state, a key demand by the Spanish government.