The ETA terrorist organization apologizes to its victims

USPA NEWS - The Basque terrorist organization ETA will announce its final dissolution in France on May 5. Two weeks before that expected moment, the band made public this Friday a statement in which it apologizes to its victims for the damage caused and appeals to the reconciliation. The Spanish Government believes that the statement demonstrates the strength of the rule of law, while the associations of victims believe that ETA is justified once again.

The statement, dated on April 8, was published this Friday in the Gara newspaper, the official communication organ of the terrorist organization. In the statement, ETA recognizes "the damage caused", shows its "commitment to the definitive overcoming of the consequences of the conflict and the non-repetition" of violence, and appeals to "reconciliation." But the terrorist organization is selective in asking for forgiveness, which is only addressed to victims who were not "directly" related to the Basque conflict. It justifies the victims caused in the Police, the Civil Guard and the Army, demands recognition for their own dead and asks that "we recognize all the responsibility contracted and the damage caused."

ETA speaks of "excessive suffering" during forty years of armed struggle, with "dead, wounded, tortured, kidnapped or people who have been forced to flee abroad." He recognizes the "responsibility" he has in that pain and points out that "none of it should ever have happened or should not have lasted so long in time." The terrorist organization, which will be definitively dissolved on May 5 in France, affirms: "We are aware that in this long period of armed struggle we have caused a lot of pain, including many damages that have no solution," and adds: "We want to show respect for the dead, the wounded and the victims that have caused the actions of ETA, to the extent that they have been affected by the conflict. We're really sorry."

"Our performance," admits the band, "has harmed citizens without any responsibility. We have also caused serious damage that has no way back. We ask these people and their families for forgiveness. These words will not solve what happened or mitigate so much pain. We say it with respect, without wanting to cause again any affliction."

For associations of victims of terrorism, ETA's statement again justifies the armed struggle and, in selecting the victims to whom it apologizes, lacks credibility. For its part, the Government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy believes that the statement and the announcement of the dissolution of the terrorist organization demonstrate "the strength of the rule of law" and the triumph of the law.