Bertie Ahern. Former Prime Minister of Ireland
Time moves so fast and as I reflect on the International Conference of Aiete to promote the resolution of conflict in the Basque country.
I think firstly of the of 17th October 2011 in the House of Peace in
Donostia -San Sebastian which brought together various international people along with the political parties or most of them, the trade unions of the French Basque country Navarre and the Basque Autonomous Region.
I read on behalf of the group the declaration stating that after a process of consultations with trade unions, political parties and the Basque society as a whole to take major steps to contribute to a lastly peace in the region.
The ETA responded shortly thereafter announcing it was definitively ending armed conflict. This brought a conclusion to work that was underway since 2008 led by the facilitator Brian Curran who I knew from his work in Northern Ireland years earlier.
Thankfully the conditions were right in October 2011 and the opportunity existed for a verifiable lasting peace process to commence.
Those of us in attendances at the conference were conscious of the historic nature of the coming together of so many to endorse the conclusions and backed by Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair, and George Mitchel all of which I knew and respected personally.
The consultation and the conference were designed to provide a space of trust and coming together of the organisations to bring support and respect for lasting peace.
The Declaration of Aiete aim was to assist in ending the last armed confrontation in Europe setting out how we all believed this could be achieved with the support of citizens, political representation and international figures.
Our hope was not to impose anything or lecture the Basque people. We wanted to act in good faith to bring ideas from our life’s experience been engaged in other long conflicts. I understood how hard it was to end conflict with all the hurt and emotions involved.
Understanding the path of courage, commitment and generosity opens possibilities for a peaceful future and leaves behind the mayhem of violence hatred and sadness of conflict.
Recalling the day in October 2011 and sharing it with so many all hoping for a brighter future of peace, better prospects for the generation of young people growing up was a gratifying experience. It was a day I will always remember favourably.
Over the past years I have spent time on vacation in the region and enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of a beautiful part of the world.