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EU backs Eta talks by a whisker EU backs Eta talks by a whisker
(about 2 hours later)
The European parliament has backed Spain's peace process with the Basque separatist group Eta, in a close vote. The European parliament has backed Spain's peace process with Basque separatist group Eta, in a close vote.
After heated debate in the parliament, an attempt by conservatives to declare that Eta had not met pre-conditions for peace talks was only narrowly defeated.After heated debate in the parliament, an attempt by conservatives to declare that Eta had not met pre-conditions for peace talks was only narrowly defeated.
MEP Martin Schulz said it was important to lend support to the Spanish government's attempts to find peace.MEP Martin Schulz said it was important to lend support to the Spanish government's attempts to find peace.
But opponents said the peace talks and the debate only served to give publicity to "terrorists".But opponents said the peace talks and the debate only served to give publicity to "terrorists".
Hundreds of people demonstrated outside the European Union's offices in Madrid on Tuesday, protesting against the debate.Hundreds of people demonstrated outside the European Union's offices in Madrid on Tuesday, protesting against the debate.
The road towards dialogue is the only way we can bring an end to this spiral of violence Martin SchulzThe road towards dialogue is the only way we can bring an end to this spiral of violence Martin Schulz
The march was organised by the Association for the Victims of Terrorism, with support from the main opposition conservative Popular Party.The march was organised by the Association for the Victims of Terrorism, with support from the main opposition conservative Popular Party.
His resolution, which supported the peace dialogue launched by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, was approved by 321 votes to 311.His resolution, which supported the peace dialogue launched by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, was approved by 321 votes to 311.
An opposing resolution by the conservative grouping, the European People's Party (EPP), arguing that Spain should maintain its anti-terrorist policies, was defeated by 322 votes to 302.An opposing resolution by the conservative grouping, the European People's Party (EPP), arguing that Spain should maintain its anti-terrorist policies, was defeated by 322 votes to 302.
"The road towards dialogue is the only way we can bring an end to this spiral of violence," said Mr Schulz, a German."The road towards dialogue is the only way we can bring an end to this spiral of violence," said Mr Schulz, a German.
Sharp divideSharp divide
Mr Schulz's motion was given strong support by the European Commission.Mr Schulz's motion was given strong support by the European Commission.
EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini urged deputies to back it, saying Spain's "tenacity and conviction in combating terrorism from the respect of democracy and the rule of law has paid off".EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini urged deputies to back it, saying Spain's "tenacity and conviction in combating terrorism from the respect of democracy and the rule of law has paid off".
MEPs were split on the Spanish peace processMEPs were split on the Spanish peace process
The debate demonstrated the strong differences between Spain's main political parties over how to deal with the conflict in the Basque region, says the BBC's Danny Wood in Spain.The debate demonstrated the strong differences between Spain's main political parties over how to deal with the conflict in the Basque region, says the BBC's Danny Wood in Spain.
The Spanish government said the vote was all about showing European solidarity against terrorism.The Spanish government said the vote was all about showing European solidarity against terrorism.
But many Spaniards are sceptical about Eta's permanent ceasefire, which was called in March, our correspondent says.But many Spaniards are sceptical about Eta's permanent ceasefire, which was called in March, our correspondent says.
Several members of the European Parliament raised concerns about the alleged theft by Eta of more than 300 revolvers in France this week, saying it called the ceasefire into question.Several members of the European Parliament raised concerns about the alleged theft by Eta of more than 300 revolvers in France this week, saying it called the ceasefire into question.
EPP leader Hans-Gert Poettering asked how Eta could be trusted when it had not apologised to relatives of the more than 800 killed since it took up arms in 1968.EPP leader Hans-Gert Poettering asked how Eta could be trusted when it had not apologised to relatives of the more than 800 killed since it took up arms in 1968.
"As long as this doesn't happen we may expect they will kill once again," he said."As long as this doesn't happen we may expect they will kill once again," he said.
Eta remains on the EU's list of illegal terrorist groups.Eta remains on the EU's list of illegal terrorist groups.