Mediator: Spain ‘should show more courage’ over ETA

For an international reaction to ETA’s ceasefire announcement, euronews turned to Brian Currin in Johannesburg. He has been a key mediator in several conflicts, including those in South Africa and Northern Ireland. He is now involved in efforts to start a peace process in the Basque region.

Javier Villagarcía, euronews:
What do you think about this new ETA declaration?

Brian Currin:
Well I think it’s very significant. During the first quarter of 2010 the endorsers of the Brussels declaration – which included 5 Peace Laureates – issued a challenge to ETA, and really the challenge was that they declare a unilateral, permanent verifiable ceasefire, which they have now done. And as a consequence of that I do believe that we are one step closer towards a peace process.

euronews:
But the Spanish government says the declaration doesn’t go far enough. What do you make of that reaction?

Brian Currin:
I think it’s a pity that the leadership of the socialist government is not showing more courage. And I would certainly hope that in due course they do.

euronews:
What should the Spanish government do to show more courage?

Brian Currin:
They now at this moment need to engage with ETA regarding a verification process. I mean for the first time in the history of this conflict, ETA has agreed to a verification process of a ceasefire – and that is significant, it is hugely important. If you think about verification, what it implies, it means that that body, that is going to verify the ceasefire, is going to have to be given credible and relevant information about arms, ammunition, the use thereof, all other activities that relate to the armed struggle so that that body can verify the ceasefire. And it’s an offer, an opportunity that in my respectful view should not be missed.

euronews:
Who could be in charge of this mission of verifying?

Brian Currin:
In so far as leading it is concerned, there was a decommissioning body in Northern Ireland that was led by General (John) de Chatelaine from Canada, (it was) an international body. There have been other international decommissioning bodies and monitoring bodies of ceasefires that have been led by various experts in armed struggle. I don’t want to now start putting names forward, but there are very very key and experienced and credible international players out there, who could provide that independence in monitoring that would be essential for the process.

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