The announcement of a general and permanent ceasefire by ETA has been greeted with widespread scepticism by many in Spain and the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has said the announcement by the separatist group does not go far enough.
Mr Zapatero has stated that the government will not accept any conditions from ETA and that what is required is the ‘definitive end of the ETA terrorist group.
With no mention of disarmament or disolving the organisation, many remain sceptical.
This is not the first time that ETA has announced a ‘permanent’ ceasefire. The last such ‘permanent ceasefire’ ended with the bombing of Madrid airport in December 2006, and the question being asked is ‘why should this time be any different?’.
The Batasuna party, the political wing of ETA, is now outlawed as a result of its connections to the group, but they are said to be keen to participate in the upcoming elections. This only adds to the scepticism.
ETA’s campaign for an independent Basque region has cost more than 800 lives.