ETA Basque Separatist Organization Calls It Quits

ETA is a Basque separatist organization pledged to the cause of creating an independent Basque homeland - in other words a Basque nation-state wedged geographically between France and Spain where the seven Basque provinces are located. Four of the Basque provinces are in what is now Spain and the other three are in France. This past week the ETA announced that they will cease their efforts and close operations.

During the Franco dictatorship of Spain ETA frequently grabbed international attention through terrorist bombings of key Franco administration officials. In more recent years, the physical violence petered out as ETA tried to transition into an effective civil political party. Those efforts at normalization were less effective than hoped as the post-Franco Spanish democracy afforded the Basque provinces in Spain more and more control over their schools and local affairs. For example, the Basque language was repressed during Franco and prohibited from being taught in schools, but now allowed.

The IRA and ETA shared many traits in common, even publishing joint newsletters. One could buy lapel pins of the Irish and Basque flag together, showing their unity of interests. So now after decades of resistance ETA is finally closing this chapter in Basque history by disbanding. In the same way the IRA went away, so will ETA. The criminal authorities in both Spain and France swear their intent to track down the ETA members responsible for the many bombings of the past.

There will always be Basques who yearn for an independent Basque nation. Any people who have their own language, culture and common history will always have this inclination, it seems to be in most people's DNA. The Basque people have a proud and interesting history and surely will continue to preserve their culture and grow it into the future. There is a Basque diaspora throughout the world as Basques have always been an adventurous people. It is a good bet that the Basques will continue to preserve their unique culture whether or not they achieve nation-state status.