Following Oct ceasefire declaration , ETA 10 Nov announced would be willing to discuss giving up weapons. Basque separatist party Amaiur won 7 parliamentary seats in 20 Nov general election.

ETA 20 Oct released statement announcing “definitive cessation of its armed activity” for Basque independence, called on French and Spanish govts to respond with “process of direct dialogue”. Spanish govt welcomed move; PM Zapatero called announcement “victory for democracy, law and reason”. Announcement followed peace conference in San Sebastian calling for ETA to lay down arms, govt to open negotiations.

Ahead of 22 May regional and local elections, Constitutional Court 5 May overturned Supreme Court decision banning new left-wing Basque nationalist coalition Bildu. Bildu gained 25% of vote in Basque Country, second behind Basque Nationalist Party (30%) and beating governing Socialists.

Ahead of 22 May regional and local elections, tens of thousands again demonstrated 2 Apr, calling for legalisation of new pro-independence party Sortu, denied legal status by Supreme Court late March. Govt 27 Apr took steps to ban Bildu party, also suspected of ETA links. Several suspected ETA members arrested over month. ETA 16 Apr reaffirmed “clear commitment” to ending armed conflict.

Supreme Court 24 March voted 9-7 to deny legal status to new political party Sortu, formed to succeed banned political wing of ETA Batasuna. ETA 27 March said prepared to allow observers to verify its call for permanent ceasefire. Suspected head of ETA Alejandro Zobaran Arriola arrested in N France 11 March.

Basque separatists 7 Feb launched new political party “Sortu” rejecting use of violence, ahead of May regional elections. Attorney general 18 Feb said Sortu is continuation of banned Batasuna party, will ask Supreme Court to deny it legal status. PM Zapatero 22 Feb said ETA “in its final phase”.

Video released 10 Jan showing masked ETA militants declaring permanent ceasefire; no mention of handing over weapons. Govt rejected ceasefire, saying it did not go far enough. Newspaper El Pais 16 Jan reported ETA voted to continue use of violence Nov 2010. Police 18 Jan arrested 10 people suspected of links to ETA support organisations. Anti-terrorist services reportedly identified 50 ETA members residing in Venezuela.

Leader of ETA political wing Arnaldo Otegi in interview from jail 28 Dec said group ready to give up arms. Statement comes amid speculation that major ETA announcement imminent; interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba expressed caution. 3 suspected ETA members 20 Dec carried out armed robbery in SE France, taking electronic material including blank ID cards. 4 police jailed 30 Dec for torturing 2 ETA suspects in 2008.

Banned Batasuna party 27 Nov announced plans for new party rejecting violence. Spanish intelligence service report 2 Nov said ETA continuing to train in France.

Arnaldo Otegi, jailed leader of banned political wing of ETA Batasuna, 18 Oct said group should “declare unilateral and permanent truce”, seek democratic and peaceful independence. Spanish police 22 Oct arrested 13 members of Segi, outlawed group considered youth branch of ETA. Trial started 26 Oct of 15 paramilitary officers accused of torturing 2 ETA suspects.