The Basque separatist group ETA announced Thursday a "definitive cessation of its armed activity" in a statement published on the website of Gara, a newspaper that the group has used to convey messages in the past. Listed as a terrorist organization by Spain, the United States and the European Union, ETA is blamed for hundreds of deaths in its decades-long fight for an independent Basque state that it wants carved out of sections of northern Spain and southwestern France. Thursday's announcement follows a recent push for the group to abandon violence permanently. That effort was led by international figures who include Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams of Northern Ireland and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
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European Commission chief Barroso hails a "truly historic moment"
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Spain's two top prime ministerial candidates call ETA's move a "victory"
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The Basque separatist group announces a "definitive cessation of its armed activity"
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ETA  calls for talks, saying "a new political time is emerging in the Basque Country"
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The leaders also called on the Spanish and @placeholder governments to welcome it and "agree to talks exclusively to deal with the consequences of the conflict."
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The development "marks the culmination of years of unceasing efforts in the fight against terrorism," he said, as he congratulated @placeholder on its efforts to combat ETA.
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ETA
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"Today, the @placeholder is not the protagonist, because the state of law has won," Rubalcaba said.