ETA says it is ready to accept international mediation to solve conflict with Spain

Basque separatists ready for mediation

MADRID — The armed Basque separatist group ETA says it is willing to accept international mediation to help solve its long-running conflict with the Spanish government.

Two weeks after it announced a cease-fire, the group said in a statement it is willing to “jointly explore” with overseas mediators the steps required for a democratic process, “including commitments to be taken by ETA.”

The statement was published by Basque newspaper Gara on Sunday.

Since launching its violent campaign for an independent Basque homeland in the late 1960s ETA has killed more than 825 people and announced 11 cease-fires, the last of them — which it called permanent — in 2006.

Spain’s government has repeatedly said progress can only be made when ETA renounces violence for good.