ETA Admits Attacks as 2nd Bomb Hits Spanish Island

Move could end last armed militancy in Europe

(AP) - The Basque militant group ETA called an end to a 43-year violent campaign for independence today and said it now wants talks with Spain and France—a groundbreaking move that could pave the way for ending Europe's last armed militancy. ETA had already declared a cease-fire last year, but up to now had not renounced armed struggle as a tool for achieving an independent Basque state, a key demand by the Spanish government. The announcement came just three days after several international figures, including Kofi Annan and Ireland's Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, attended a conference on ETA in the Basque city of San Sebastian and called on the group to end the violence. More»

International operation supplied to Qaeda-linked groups

(AP) - Police arrested seven people in Spain and three in Thailand in an international sting on a group suspected of forging passports for an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, the Spanish Interior Ministry said today. The detainees formed part of a group based in Thailand and linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based Islamic group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. More»

Others addressed to various embassies; no al-Qaeda link seen

(NEWSER) - Greek police have intercepted several packages containing “explosive devices,” one of which was addressed to Nicolas Sarkozy, Reuters reports. One, addressed to the Mexican embassy, exploded at an Athens courier firm, slightly wounding an employee. Others addressed to the Dutch and Belgian embassies were detonated by police. Two men with suspected ties to a “Greek leftist guerrilla group” have been arrested; police don’t think al-Qaeda is involved. More»

The group intends to use 'a democratic process'

(NEWSER) - Basque separatist group ETA has announced a ceasefire, the BBC reports . The armed group, considered terrorists by many, has led a campaign for Basque independence that resulted in more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years. After previous statements by the Spanish government that it will not negotiate with the group unless it renounces violence, ETA issued a video declaring its intent "to put in motion a democratic process." More»

(NEWSER) - A car bomb blast outside the Athens stock exchange damaged the building and injured a female pedestrian, the BBC reports. A second bomb detonated outside a government building in Thessaloniki, causing minor damage and no injuries. The blasts are suspected of being the work of Greek extremist group Revolutionary Struggle. Police sealed off the stock exchange neighborhood, preventing further injuries, after a warning was phoned into a local newspaper. More»