US Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus on ETA ceasefire

Members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus statement on ETA ceasefire and international conference on peace

From Washington

ONE of the byproducts of the Irish peace process is that it has become a model for successful conflict resolution around the globe. From the Middle East to Sri Lanka, other societies in conflict have looked to the political leaders on that island to learn the lessons of peacemaking and ending armed confrontations.

Many of those directly responsible for bringing peace to Ireland – including former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Chief of Staff, Jonathan Powell – were invited to attend a major conference in San Sebastian to promote an end of the conflict in the Basque Country. They were joined by former United Nations Secretary Kofi Annan. Along with former US Senator George Mitchell, the international negotiators urged the Basque separatist group ETA to call an end to their conflict with the Spanish Government and to reject violence for good.

As the historic conference concludes, members of the Friends of Ireland in the United States House of Representatives welcome in the strongest possible terms the announcement by ETA that they have declared "a definitive cessation of all armed action", raising hope that after four decades the last armed dispute in Europe may soon have a peaceful resolution.

We believe the ETA statement was an important and significant development that can lead to a process of direct talks with all the parties in the region.

We also commend the response of the Spanish Government which described the announcement as a positive step towards a more peaceful and democratic future. It is our shared belief that a basis for dialogue between ETA and the Spanish and French governments now exists.

For those of us in Congress who witnessed and participated in the Irish experience first-hand, we support those who find alternatives to conflict and take risks for peace.

We agree with the international group that a genuine opportunity for peace and reconciliation in the region is within reach and must be seized. With the unprecedented ETA statement, we hope talks that address the consequences of the conflict can now begin, and a new era free of violence follows.

Congressman Richard E. Neal (Democrat from Massachusetts)

Congressman Jerry Costello (Democrat from Illinois)

Congressman Tim Holden (Democrat from Pennsylvania)