General information
First Active Year: 1978
Current Name: ETA
Current Name full English: Basque Nation and Liberty
Current Name full native language: Euskadi ta azkatasuna
Original Name: ETA
Original Name full English: Basque Nation and Liberty
Original Name full native language: Euskadi ta azkatasuna
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Government of Spain - ETA
Conflict Goal Issues: Euskadi ta azkatasuna, Basque Nation and Liberty, (ETA) was a Baque separatist rebel group which were active in the north of Spain. The group was established in 1959, although it was first coded in the UCDP in 1989. ETA struggled for the establishment of an independent Basque region through the use of force and incorporated leftist elements throughout its existence. The group expressed its desire for independence during the year of its creation stating its initial goal issue of the independence for “the seven Basque provinces” and to use force to achieve this goal. As the conflict emerged, in 1989, ETA stated further goal issues in its emphasized ‘KAS Alternative’. The group reemphasized its commitment to establishing an independent Basque state with the right of self-determination, but also called for the protection of freedom of expression, labor and language rights, and basic needs for the both the Basque people and “of the popular masses and especially of the working class.” ETA also called for a restructuring of police and military forces to give the Basque region its own police and military force, particularly emphasizing the repressive nature of the current police forces. Finally, the group also called for its recognition as a political party and for the political system in the Basque region to be altered to promote “the economic, social and political structures that they consider most convenient for their progress and well-being”.
As the conflict progressed, the issue of independence was stated once more, although no other issues from the KAS Alternative were explicitly reemphasized. ETA instead called for constitutional reform to allow for its secession, stated its intentions to protect the environment through a blockade of a planned construction project, and called for a referendum on the topic. Finally, in 1992, the last year of interpreted communications from the group, ETA stated its intentions to protect the cultural and civil rights of the Basque people: “it would keep up its campaign of violence ‘as long as the Basque country continues to be denied its political, social and cultural rights’.”
The main conflict goal issue for ETA was the secession of the Basque region and the establishment of an independent Basque state. This issue was continuously stated from the beginning of the group’s existence and was heavily emphasized for the conflict’s duration.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: ETA were interpreted as stating one conflict dynamics issue on two occasions throughout the conflict. In 1990 and 1991 the group published accounts of atrocities and abuses being perpetrated against its members through torture, executions, and massacres.
Conflict Resolution Issues: In the year of its emergence, and the year prior, ETA stated intentions to establish negotiations with the government and stated its willingness to cease hostilities if negotiations were agreed upon. In 1989, the group implemented said ceasefires and negotiations were initiated with the Spanish government. During this year, they also reemphasized the KAS Alternative’s demand of amnesty for its members.
As the conflict progressed, the group continuously stated its intention and willingness to engage in negotiations with the government to resolve the conflict politically. In 1992, the group stated its willingness to establish a two-month truce provided negotiations were initiated, which the Spanish refused calling for “unconditional cessation of hostilities as a prerequisite for talks.”
The main conflict resolution issue for ETA was the establishment of negotiations and ceasefires. Whilst cessation of hostilities were not explicitly stated with continuity, they were frequently implied and heavily emphasized, as were calls for negotiations.
Type of conflict issues: The coded conflict issues for this group are: Conflict Goal Issues: Basic needs, Civil rights, Confederation/union, Constitutional issues, CPS: Other/undefined system, Cultural rights, Freedom of expression, Independence, Labor rights, Language rights, Protection of natural resources/the environment, Recognition as a political party, Referendum, Restructure military forces, Restructure police forces
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses
Conflict Resolution Issues: Amnesties, Call for ceasefire, Call for negotiations, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1978
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1979
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1980
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1981
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1982
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1985
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1986
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1987
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
1991
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Spain - ETA
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1978 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: 300 – 400
Comment on Troop Size: According to estimates, ETA had 300 – 400 members in 1978.
Secondary Support: There has been ample speculation about secondary support for ETA. Some maintain that the group has been an active part of n international terrorist network, gaining support from states such as the Soviet Union and Libya. However, such allegations have not been substantiated. It is known that ETA in the 1960s sent some members for training on Cuba, and that it later established connections to the IRA. In the late 1970s, ETA sent members for training in Algeria, Libya, Lebanon and South Yemen. In 1978, ETA organized a sister political organization, Herri Batasuna, that allowed it to express its position on the Basque political scene, and, according to the Spanish authorities, obtain funding from the official Spanish budget.
1979 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: 300 – 400
Comment on Troop Size: According to estimates, ETA had 300 – 400 members in 1979.
Secondary Support: In the late 1970s, ETA sent members for training in Algeria, Libya, Lebanon and South Yemen. It was also rumoured that ETA cooperated with another militant group, GRAPO (Grupos de Resistencia Antifascista Primero de Octubre
1980 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: 400 – 2000
Comment on Troop Size: According to some sources, ETA had 400 – 500 members in 1980; however, some estimates ranged as high as 2000.
Secondary Support: A pro-government magazine claimed that ETA received financial support from China, the Soviet Union and Libya, and was given training in Cuba, South Yemen, Lebanon, Czechoslovakia, Ireland and Uruguay. However, these claims were not substantiated.
1981 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: 300 - 500
Comment on Troop Size: According to estimates, ETA had around 500 members in 1981.
Secondary Support: The political party Herri Batasuna (HB) was seen as ETAs political wing. By sharing ETAs independence ambitions and by having close links with the armed group, the HB provided important moral support to the ETA. Around 20% of the Basque population supported the HB.
1982 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: Missing
Secondary Support: The political party Herri Batasuna (HB) was seen as ETAs political wing. By sharing ETAs independence ambitions and by having close links with the armed group, the HB provided important moral support to the ETA. Around 20% of the Basque population supported the HB.
1985 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: Missing
Secondary Support: The political party Herri Batasuna (HB) was seen as ETAs political wing. By sharing ETAs independence ambitions and by having close links with the armed group, the HB provided important moral support to the ETA. Around 20% of the Basque population supported the HB.
1986 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: Missing
Secondary Support: The political party Herri Batasuna (HB) was seen as ETAs political wing. By sharing ETAs independence ambitions and by having close links with the armed group, the HB provided important moral support to the ETA. Around 20% of the Basque population supported the HB.
1987 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974
Troop Size: 150
Secondary Support: The political party Herri Batasuna (HB) was seen as ETAs political wing. By sharing ETAs independence ambitions and by having close links with the armed group, the HB provided important moral support to the ETA. Around 20% of the Basque population supported the HB.
1991 Group Archive
Government of Spain - ETA
Comment on Name: Euskadi ta azkatasuna; Basque Nation and Liberty. Sometimes referred to as ETA (military) or ETA (m), to distinguish it from smaller splinter groups which include the more moderate ETA (politico-military) or ETA (pm) which emerged in 1974.
Troop Size: 50
Comment on Troop Size: No information could be found on the number of ETA activists in 1992. However, in 1995, according to specialists, the number of terrorists were around 50 and according to the government ETA consisted of 50-100 people in early 1990s. Furthermore, there were 500 ETA members in Spanish jails. "The base" was believed to amount to about 3000 people.
The Herri Batasuna were supported by some 200 000 Basque voters in 1992
Secondary Support: The political party Herri Batasuna (HB) was seen as ETAs political wing. By sharing ETAs independence ambitions and by having close links with the armed group, the HB provided important moral support to the ETA. Around 20% of the Basque population supported the HB.Throughout the years of ETA activity, claims have been made of links between the ETA and the IRA (Irish Republican Army), al-Fatah (Palestinian organisation) and the Breton Liberation Front. However, no further information could be found concerning the scope of these links.
