REPORT: 10 of May, 2006

Ceremony of the Forum of Signatories

of the Basic Democratic Agreement

Hotel Tres Reyes, IRUÑEA

April 15, 2006

Three years ago, a group of citizens of different ideological backgrounds came together around a table. After an intense effort to build relations and obtain contributions from political and social agents, a Basic Democratic Agreement was signed by a broad spectrum of political parties, trade unions and social movements, together with a consensus on a single sentence to sum up the key points that are needed for a resolution of the conflict: "All citizens throughout the Basque Country must be consulted about the future of Euskal Herria in a manner agreed upon by all parties."

In the course of time we have continued to make progress in our work, and the involvement of signatory organisations has increased. Two weeks ago another important step forward was accomplished when all the BDA's signatories took part in a demonstration on the 1st of April in support of the catchphrase: "IT IS TIME FOR SOLUTIONS. Euskal Herria · Decision · Agreement". The outstanding result was the biggest march the Basque Country has seen in a decade, in which Basques gave an unmistakable expression of support.

But let us not lose ourselves to euphoria! A long road lies ahead, and our day-to-day work will be decisive for resistance to the attacks that will undoubtedly fall upon, and obstacles that will be placed in the way of, the democratic process necessary in order to emerge from this conflict. We have already had a taste of these over the past weeks, what with the imprisonment of key political spokespersons, economic extorsion through exorbitant bail demands, fuelling of the controversy over the right to decide, and violations of citizens' rights of expression and participation.

No, we know it isn't going to be an easy ride. For it is far easier to make war than to make peace. It is easier to cut back on democratic rights on the pretext of the need for security than to strengthen them through participation. It is easier to delegate responsibility to the politicians and their institutions than to assume and address it ourselves in the actual heart of society. And that is precisely the way this world is going, controlled by fewer and fewer powerful individuals, with fewer and fewer opportunities for participation, amidst growing insecurity and increasing conflict.

But we in Euskal Herria have decided we will do things a different way. We have come to the conclusion that the only true, stable solution will be one that has been achieved jointly by everyone. We have decided that the resolution of the conflict can only come through dialogue and agreement among all the concerned parties. We believe in the need to respect all rights, both individual and collective, pertaining to all people in all parts of the country, no matter whether they live under the Spanish or French administrations. We know that the only real solution is one that derives from the strengthening of democracy and justice. We had therefore set ourselves the specific goal of creating a Table for Resolution by this year's Aberri Eguna, the Basques' national day.

That day has now passed and we have not been able to fulfil our aim, but we nonetheless proclaim that there is no longer any excuse for not establishing the Table for Resolution. The conditions are ripe and the opportunity is here. We therefore resolutely demand:

Table for Resolution Now!

The conditions are ripe:

• An flow of relations between political organisations has been established.
• The process has received strong support from numerous international fora.
• A sophisticated debate has been carried out on the participation of women.
• Strong backing from society exists.

ETA's declaration of a permanent ceasefire on the 22nd of March also represents a valuable contribution and raises a good opportunity for building a democratic process to overcome the conflict. Not long ago, many were saying that the great obstacle to the creation of a Table for Resolution was ETA's armed activities. Now that the situation has changed, let us have an end of excuses and create the Table.

We hereby ask all political and social organisations to make an effort to create the Table as soon as possible and address the key issues that underly the conflict. We also proclaim the need to respect the democratic basis that is essential for this process: Recognition of Euskal Herria and respect for Basques' right to decide on their future.

To conclude, this is the message we wish to convey to all Euskal Herria:

Now is the time for solutions!

No more delays in the start of the democratic process:

Table for Resolution Now!

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