Armed separatist group ETA announced unilateral ceasefire 5 Sept; PM Zapatero said announcement “worth nothing” unless group lay down arms forever. ETA 26 Sept said ready for permanent truce if certain conditions met. 16 Sept bomb explosion near regional capital Vitoria blamed on ETA-linked youth groups. Police arrested 9 suspected leaders of ETA-linked separatist group Ekin and 7 alleged members of ETA offshoot Askapena.

Trial started 15 July for 22 members of Udalbiltza Kursaal, assembly of banned pro-independence party Batasuna, accused of ETA membership and fundraising. Jailed ETA member Txapote sentenced to further 8 years for providing explosives to ETA cell.

Banned political wing of ETA, Batasuna, 20 June signed “strategic agreement” with Basque nationalist party Eusko Alkartasuna ahead of 2011 regional elections. ETA member wanted for 4 car bombings arrested 24 June in Belfast. 3 members of ETA-linked youth group Segi arrested 10 June in Rome during visit by Spanish PM Zapatero. Northern Irish police 24 June arrested suspected ETA member wanted for 2001 Madrid car bomb that killed 1 police officer.

Spain’s National Court 21 May sentenced 3 ETA members to 1,040 years each for Dec 2006 Madrid airport car bomb. French police 20 May arrested ETA military chief Mikel Karrera Sarobe and 2nd-in-command, along with 4 other suspected ETA members in Bayonne; 1 suspect sought for 17 March killing of French police officer in shootout near Paris.

10 ETA suspects arrested by Spanish police, 1 by French police 14 April; suspects accused of passing information between ETA prisoners and leaders, compiling list of targets including Spanish internal affairs minister Rubalcaba. Protests in San Sebastian, Bilbao 18 April against arrests. ETA blamed French police for shootout that killed French police officer 17 March. 4,500-5,000-strong demonstration in Bayonne 17 Apr to demand information on 2009 disappearance and unexplained death of ETA militant.

French President Sarkozy 24 March pledged to “eradicate” ETA bases in France after Paris policeman shot dead by alleged ETA member 17 March. Spain raised terrorism alert following shooting. 2 suspected ETA members arrested in Lisbon and London, 12, 14 March. Spanish judge 1 March accused Venezuelan ex-govt official of facilitating contacts between ETA and Colombian FARC rebel group (see Venezuela).

Suspected ETA military head Ibon Gogeascoechea Arronategui arrested in France 28 Feb. Rufino Etxeberria, leading member of ETA political wing, 21 Feb announced plans to end “any armed activity by ETA”. Portuguese police seized half tonne of explosives and bomb-making equipment allegedly belonging to ETA 6 Feb.

Several suspected ETA members arrested during month: 4 arrested in France and Portugal 10 Jan, including 1 driving van loaded with explosives; 5 allegedly responsible for Sept 2008 car bomb arrested N Spain 26 Jan; 2 arrested in N Spain 28 Jan. Thousands rallied in Bilbao 2 Jan demanding improved conditions for jailed ETA members; Basque prisoner group announced mass hunger strike 25 Jan.

Thousands marched in Bilbao 19 Dec in support of 5 Basque newspaper executives on trial for supporting ETA. Govt warned of possible ETA attack during Spain’s EU presidency, 29 Dec raised terrorism alert. ƒ

ETA political wing Batasuna 14 Nov called for talks with govt based on Northern Ireland peace process principles; did not condemn ETA use of violence. Police detained 36 suspected ETA supporters 24 Nov, and 34 suspected members of ETA’s youth wing Segi 26 Nov. Shots fired between policeman and suspected ETA terrorists believed to be planting bomb at police barracks 29 Nov.