ETA prisoners criticise Spanish government for inaction in ending conflict

The Spanish government has wasted an opportunity to bring a definitive end to the conflict in its northern Basque region, jailed members of separatist group ETA said Friday. In a statement published in the Basque newspaper, Gara, representatives of Basque prisoner collective EPPK criticized Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government for refusing to change its hardline stance on ETA. "The government is with its violence once again, while EPPK will continue developing its line along with the support of the citizens," said the statement, adding government officials had allowed "time to escape between their hands." EPPK also accused the government of not listening to the voice of conciliation from ETA, which announced a permanent ceasefire before the November 2011 general elections. "The government does not want to see this image, but above all they don't want to hear the message," the statement said. Friday's statement came one month after ETA prisoners said they would recognize the authority of the Spanish justice system and accept "all responsibility" for their actions in a 45-year struggle, which has witnessed more than 800 deaths and many more injuries. In return, they have been seeking the transfer of ETA prisoners, currently dispersed throughout Spain, to prisons in the Basque region. Earlier this month, Spain's security forces launched an operation against EPPK and made a series of arrests, including two lawyers, who were accused of being part of the group. Although the operation was supported by the ruling Popular Party, it was condemned by other political parties in the country, including the moderate Basque Nationalist Party. The Spanish government has remained firm on ETA, saying it will never make concessions to the group. In an interview with right-wing newspaper ACB, Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said ETA had never considered its dissolution as it "wants to continue as another political agent." ETA, or Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, which means Basque Homeland and Freedom in Basque, was launched in the late 1950s and about 600 of its members are held in Spanish prisons..