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Mediation
Hume will not mediate between Eta and Spanish government
John Hume has said that he has retired from active political life.
IRISH NOBEL PEACE Prize laureate John Hume has said that he will not be acting as a mediator between the government of Spain and the Basque separatist group Eta.
Yesterday Eta called for international mediation and expressed a desire to end the bloody conflict for Basque independence. Eta’s declared ceasefire earlier this month was rejected by the Spanish government, who said the statement made by the group did not rule out a return to arms and therefore did not go far enough.
Eta reportedly named four potential mediators for future talks with the Spanish authorities: former Irish President Mary Robinson, former South African president FW de Klerk, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and John Hume.
A spokesperson for Hume stated:
John Hume is happy to support the Brussels Declaration on how to establish peace in the Basque country.
He has retired from active political life and as a result will not be making himself available for any peace talks.
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