Negotiating With Basque Terrorists - Yes or No

Should a government negotiate with terrorists? This has been a debate in Spain for at least the last months.
NO, says the Popular Party - Yes, is the actual situations, leaded by President Zapatero.
However, due to the latest situation this turned to NO too.
President Zapatero has stopped all dialogue with the Basque Terrorist Organization.
That is all due to a new attack in Barajas Airport on the brink of the new year.
The 2006 annual overview was not printed or this mayor incident was responsible to extent the same overview with a special report: the terrorist attack unexpected by many because of the previously announced ceased fire.
The Basque Terrorist organization in Spain -- of which I can't remember the name -- has recently added this terrorist assault to their portfolio of actions after the announcement of a "permanent" cease fire in 2006.
One person got killed, a whole parking place was destroyed.
But more has changed since and more will hopefully.
The Spanish government -- as one of the stakeholders in the so-called peace-process -- is eager to solve the "conflict.
" Of course, who wouldn't like have a stake in a possible dissolution of a most feared organization.
But this time -- after the latest incident, the president and all politicians should revaluate their position.
Time is at stake for the terrorists.
The terrorist organization is looking for a way out in order that they will be admitted to the official political scene from which they are now outlawed.
And the political elections are within a years' time.
At stake for the Spanish government, beside a possible but incredible victory above terror, is peace.
But think about this, after the latest attack.
Will the terrorist organization ever cease to exist? Will it be possible to dissolve? You could think so after the example of the IRA.
But more probably is that they will never change.
And in that scenario the best thing to do for any government is too hard to imagine: to do "nothing".
Doing nothing else than continuing the path to combat them with legal moves.
All measures that might be necessary to beat them, but never more negotiating.
© 2007 Hans Bool