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Spain's ETA apologizes to victims of terror campaign ahead of disbanding

Xinhua,April 20, 2018 Adjust font size:

MADRID, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Spanish separatist group ETA on Friday apologized for "the damage caused" in the course of its "armed trajectory" ahead of its dissolution next month, the Basque newspaper Gara reported.

During ETA's campaign for the independence of the Basque region in northern Spain and southwest France between 1968 and 2010, nearly 800 people were killed.

The apology came 24 hours after it was confirmed that the group would be officially dissolved on May 5 at an event in the French town of Bayonne. The dissolution will put a definitive end to 50 years of conflict.

In a communique, ETA said its irresponsible actions harmed citizens and caused irreparable damage. "We apologize to these people and their families... We are truly sorry," the statement read.

ETA was founded in 1959 during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco as a pro-Basque cultural organization, but evolved into a paramilitary organization with wide roots throughout Basque society. Enditem

 

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