II.- A LEGISLATURE FOR PEACE AND POLITICAL NORMALISATION

A look back at our recent history confirms that we have opened the windows of hope

Practically four years have passed since that day, on July 11 2001, at the investiture session that marked the beginning of the previous legislature, when I promised Basque society that I would open the door of hope. We began that session with a complex situation strewn with difficulties. We faced a dramatic scenario of violence, provoked by the breakdown of ETA's truce.

We had just seen how a new opportunity for peace had been frustrated. Any kind of dialogue was rejected and any debate for political normalisation was refused. The PP and the PSOE hid behind "constitutional fundamentalism" and the immutability of the territorial model of the State. Any modification of the Statute of Gernika was opposed and moreover, on the initiative of the socialist party, a firm agreement was reached with the PP, leading to the Party Law designed to exclude a part of Basque society from our political institutions.

Fortunately, today the scenario that greets this new legislature is very different to the one I saw from this rostrum at the previous investiture debate.

Once again, the winds of hope are blowing in favour of Basque society. We are succeeding in creating and even sharing areas where previously there was only rejection and political confrontation. In this regard, I should highlight the advances we have made over the last four years with respect to eight areas which, in my opinion, represent eight windows open to hope and which I am going to describe below.

First area: Differentiate between political normalisation and the peace process

The first decision taken at the beginning of the last Legislature was to propose a monographic meeting of Parliament on the subject of Pacification and Normalisation.  This was held on September 28 2001, with two basic objectives, namely, and I quote: "On the one hand, to share the defence of human rights and liberties in the face of violence, and on the other, differentiate clearly between violence and the problem of political normalisation, the existence of which must be recognised and tackled through political debate.

For the first time, attention was drawn to the need to differentiate between and tackle individually the end to violence and the process of political normalisation. This required different interlocutors, different instruments, methods, contents and processes.

This differentiation constitutes today a common space that most of the political forces can share. Acceptance of the principle that only the representatives of the wishes of the people have the right to tackle the problems of political normalisation of Basque society is the starting point for resolving our problems of coexistence.

Second: Dialogue and respect for debate

Fortunately, we begin this legislature with a common space, which is essential in the democracy, especially in societies such as ours. I refer to the acceptance of political dialogue between parties and the opening of an institutional dialogue between the Basque Government and the Spanish Government.

Dialogue as a synonym of democracy, the defence of one's own ideas, based on a comprehension of the reasons behind the ideas of others. The winds of dialogue as a method of resolving conflicts are blowing very favourably indeed. Today, no one rejects dialogue and everyone accepts the need to debate political projects openly. In short, the different ways available to everyone in order to propose solutions are accepted as something completely natural.

Basque society has stated clearly that it does not accept immobilism and deadlock as political ploys. We have established ways of responding and making contributions. We have all learnt to give way and to present proposals, and we will continue learning how to debate ideas and projects, based on mutual respect and with the will to reach agreements.

Third: Human rights and political and democratic channels

The defence of Human Rights is a principle that, while being shared by all, has generated on many occasions doubts about their interpretation and materialisation in practice by political parties. I sincerely believe that during this period of four years we have made progress in social pedagogy and we have definitively consolidated the need to accept that there can be no opaque spaces in the defence of human rights. All human rights for everyone! This is the central theme supported by the great majority of Basque society.

On the other hand, the support for exclusively political and democratic channels for resolving conflicts has ceased to be a merely rhetorical declaration without commitments. Society itself demands, in consequence, that this principle take the form of a rejection of the use of violence as an instrument of political action.

Fourth: Democratic plurality and non exclusion

The acceptance of the democratic plurality of Basque society and the recognition of its political diversity are fundamental factors for normalisation and coexistence. The institutional representation of the different feelings existing in our society is an element that makes a powerful contribution in the search for solutions through dialogue. Basque society has demonstrated that it is not willing to accept political exclusion for decisions beyond its democratic will. This Parliament provides eloquent proof of the fact that this principle of democratic integration must be shared if we truly wish to make progress towards political normalisation

Fifth: Acceptance of the Debate on the territorial model of the State

Fortunately, the subject of debating the model of State is no longer a taboo that inspires military harangues and passionate defences of a narrow and unilateral interpretation of the Constitution.
Four years ago, when the Basque Country proposed the need to reflect upon the modernisation of the statutes and to develop a truly pluri-national State which recognises the identities of the peoples and nations who coexist therein, all kinds of threats and condemnations were unleashed.

Today, virtually all the Communities, whether these are governed by PP or PSOE, have initiated their own process to modernise or renew their statutes, without dramatising the situation. Now, I ask myself "why were we refused this right when we simply proposed a legitimate and democratic debate, which was later followed by other communities?"

Sixth: New framework of relations between the Basque Country and the Spanish State

Over the last four years, this House has been the scenario of a process of debate on a new framework of relations with the Spanish State, which ended on December 30 with the passing of the Proposal for a new Political Statute, and by an absolute majority of the Basque Parliament.

It is clear that we may not agree on the scope and contents of the Proposal, but what is undeniable is that today, everyone, except for the Partido Popular, agrees on the need and opportunity of establishing a new framework of political relations between the Basque Country and the Spanish State. And that, in itself, is a new window of hope.

Seventh: The right to decide

This, possibly, is the area on which we must concentrate the most. In fact, it represents the fundamental nucleus of the pending process of political normalisation. We begin this legislature speaking of concepts such as the right to decide, free association and acceptance of the will of Basque society with a certain level of naturalness. I would even go as far as saying that no one in this House rejects, at least explicitly, the right of Basque society to take its own decisions.   It is the beginning of an understanding.

Eighth: A new hope of peace

Lastly, in this new scenario, I would highlight the fact that Basque society as a whole is beginning to regard peace as a possibility. The long period of time that has elapsed without fatal attacks by ETA, the recent resolution of the Congress of Deputies, opening the door to the possibility of discussions in order to end the violence, a more civilised relationship with the President of the Spanish State, and the recent declaration by ETA not to target political figures in their attacks, are in themselves, consecutive steps in the same direction that cause as to hold out hope, once again, for peace.

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In short, these are the spaces which we have all succeeded in opening and which represent, at least in principle, more solid bases than those we had four years ago. They represent new windows, open to hope, in order to begin a legislature for peace and political normalisation.

II.1 The dream of Peace and Reconciliation

We are faced with a historical opportunity

We are convinced that during this legislature we will be given the opportunity to make our dream of peace a reality. ETA must understand the terrible futility of violence and terrorism and demonstrate without a shadow of doubt its willingness to abandon its weapons forever.

In this respect, the recent declaration of ETA, stating its decision not to target political figures in its attacks, is a positive, although insufficient, step forward in this direction, and must be followed by others until the violence in our lives disappears forever and no one is threatened or persecuted.
We must take advantage of this new opportunity to seek an end to violence based on dialogue, because it may be the last opportunity for a whole generation who have witnessed throughout their lives the suffering caused by the violation of human rights Too much pain, too much suffering for one people to endure. We demand peace. We deserve peace. We have the right to make our dream a reality. Peace is the priority of our society. We are going to spare no effort to achieve peace. With courage, without exclusions and calling upon everyone to reach this common objective.

A respect for life and human rights: the starting point

Threatening human life, murdering, extorting money or torturing anyone who thinks differently, is a crime against humanity and has no place in our society.

A respect for life and human rights must be the starting point for any peace process. In the same way, there are no shortcuts in the struggle against violence and terrorism. The alibi of violence must not be used to impose a reduction of civil and political rights and to violate the rights of detainees and their families.

Basque society has learnt that it is necessary to defend the principle that it is necessary to respect all human rights without exception and of all persons without exclusions, if we truly wish to establish solid bases for coexistence.

For this reason, we demand the need to respect the human rights of everyone, as the fundamental ethical undertaking that must direct the actions of all public institutions and political forces.

Recognising the suffering of victims

The priority objective of every peace process is to prevent further victims. Prevent more suffering and pain. Every death is a collective failure. But peace is not possible if we do not remember those who have themselves suffered the cruel blow of violence.
We, the Basques, have come a long way and we have made considerable progress in our solidarity with the victims of violence.  We have supported, moreover, the application of the necessary security measures and political initiatives in order to prevent further victims. We are conscious of the fact that the victims play an essential role in the pacification process and our public institutions are responsible for developing all the measures and initiatives of solidarity and ethical, moral and material recognition so that the memory of the victims may contribute to a situation whereby future generations never resort any more to the barbarity of violence.

Support for an end to the violence through dialogue

May 30 marked the second anniversary of the last fatal attack perpetrated by ETA in Sangüesa. This is the longest period without deaths at the hands of ETA that Basque and Spanish society has experienced since the democratic transition. We must congratulate ourselves for this, although on occasions, luck and the actions taken by the police have prevented more casualties.
 
However, in this scenario, most of the political parties showed, in the resolution passed by the Madrid Parliament on May 13, their willingness to support a process that will lead to an end of violence through dialogue. To do this, ETA must demonstrate, without a shadow of doubt, that it is willing to abandon violence and to leave the resolution of political problems in the hands of the representatives of the popular will, by peaceful and democratic means.

It is true that, despite having tried to do so on several occasions, we have not been able to achieve a definitive scenario without violence. But we must not give up the struggle. We support peace. Peace is the best investment, not only for those who suffer violence but also for those who practise it.

A prison policy that respects human rights

Detainees, even those accused of terrible crimes, are the repositories of all the rights that correspond to them as human beings, and public institutions are responsible for defending their dignity and for preventing mistreatment and torture.

In this sense, within the area of our responsibility, the Basque Government is going to develop and perfect the assistance and care protocols of detainees, especially those subjected in exceptional cases to a system of isolation, which will not be applied systematically and only after a judicial agreement has been reached, in this case, the Protocol for the Protection of Rights among persons subjected to isolation, in accordance with the measures included at the Convention against torture of the United Nations.

Based on the ethical commitment that all public institutions must observe in the defence of the human rights of all individuals, I wish to urge the President of the Spanish Government to answer the repeated demands and resolutions of the Basque Parliament in favour of bringing all Basque prisoners to the Basque Country.

In this sense, I wish to encourage the Spanish Government to tackle with courage all those measures that contribute to generating this scenario of goodwill and humanisation, to make the peace process irreversible.

In this regard, I consider that it is necessary to demand the development of a new generally-agreed, dynamic and flexible strategy in its prison policy, that respects human rights and leads to a definitive end to violence.

We must initiate the process towards reconciliation

The definitive cessation of violence, the recognition of the damage caused and pain that has been suffered, humanisation, justice, truth, memory, generosity and so on.  These are the steps that must be taken on the road to reconciliation.

The reconciliation of our people includes, but goes far beyond pacification and normalisation. Because a people, even without violence, and even when it is normalised politically, is not necessarily a reconciled people. To achieve this, we will have to recover a feeling of trust before a spirit of self-criticism, the humility to ask for forgiveness and the generosity to forgive, can emerge in our society.

 We have the moral obligation to contribute to an eradication of suffering and to travel together along the road to reconciliation, because that will be the most solid base for our coexistence as a society.

II.2) An opportunity for political normalisation

The reality of a political conflict pending resolution
It is clear that violence constitutes the main threat to human rights and liberties. For this reason, our fundamental priority consists in achieving a scenario of peace, demanding that ETA abandon violence definitively.

The immense majority of political forces and Basque society are in agreement with this demand. However, we must also recognise that there is a political problem that goes beyond violence, the resolution of which is the sole and exclusive responsibility of political representatives.

This political conflict began in the 19th century, and has been manifested in several different ways, such as the meagre support of only 30.8% of the inhabitants of our Community for the Spanish constitution of 1978 and the passing of the declaration of the right to self-determination of the Basque People by absolute majority of this Parliament in February 1990. The last event was the passing on December 13 2004, by absolute majority of this House, of the Proposal for a New Political Statute, which was rejected in the Spanish Parliament on February 1, slamming the door on any negotiation.
As I said in Madrid, the rejection of the Proposal of the Basque Parliament by the Spanish Parliament not only fails to resolve the problems but represents the largest monument they can be raised to the existence of a political conflict pending resolution, especially, because a huge opportunity was lost for dialogue and negotiation.

It is clear that there is a significant part of Basque society that does not feel at ease in the current constitutional framework, because the Basque People are not recognised as a political subject with their own identity and with historical rights that existed long before the Constitution itself and, in short, has the right to decide freely and democratically its own future.

It is also true that side-by-side with this reality there exist other political stances that defend a limited reform of the statutes within the Constitution and there are even those who reject any kind of modification or reform of the current Statute of Gernika.

This reality is a palpable demonstration of the fact that we must undertake a major process of political dialogue to reach a Normalisation Agreement with regard to fundamental elements for our coexistence, such as identity, sovereignty and territoriality, the right to self-determination and the required level of self-government and the framework of relations between the Basque Country and the Spanish State. Well, the time has come.

The achievements of the last legislature

Fortunately, with regard to the process of Political Normalisation, we are not starting this legislature with empty hands. We have travelled a road plagued with difficulties, but it has allowed us to get close to a solution.

A road that began in 2001 with the presentation of the key issues on which an open debate would be articulated in order to establish a new framework of coexistence. Subsequently, after a process of debate that lasted almost one year in the Self-government Commission, this House passed at a plenary meeting on July 12 2002, 7 bases on which to articulate a legal proposal, and urged the Government to submit this to the Parliament within one year.

Accepting this mandate, and Proposal was passed by the Government on October 25 2003 and was referred to the House for debate in an address in which not only all the political groups had the opportunity to take part, but also the economic and social agents. Finally, the Proposal was passed by absolute majority of the Basque Parliament on December 13 2004.  Clearly, I have avoided mentioning the disputes, the appeals and obstacles of all kinds that had to be overcome throughout this process.
Four years of effort, parliamentary debate and social participation culminating in a legal, legitimate and democratic proposal. A proposal passed by absolute majority of the Basque Parliament and which, today, represents a fundamental political asset to tackle an Agreement of Normalisation.

I am totally convinced that our efforts up to now have not been in vain. Today, we are nearer political normalisation than when we began the last legislature.

The Proposal for a New Statute as a contribution to Political Normalisation

We are willing to explore a new phase of dialogue that will allow us to reach an integrating Normalisation Agreement, which goes further than what has been obtained until now. We are facing this objective with an open spirit, without prior conditions or limitations.

We are commencing a new stage. In this new time of hope that is being offered to Basque society, all our political groups have another opportunity to seek more extensive agreements, based on the trust that  political dialogue between opponents, political generosity and democratic comparison with other proposals, will lead the way to the most solid normalisation scenario possible.

The opportunity is there for the taking.   But with the same firmness and conviction with which we defended the opportunity for a new Agreement, we express our profound respect for decisions already passed by the Basque Parliament. In this regard, we consider that the proposal, passed democratically by an absolute majority of this House, represents a political asset that contains a number of "aids" to reach an agreement of political normalisation.

These are the "aids" included in the Proposal for a New Statute and which, in my opinion, respond to basic questions about those all of us must negotiate in order to reach a possible Normalisation Agreement.

1. Recognition of the Basque People as a political subject.

"The Basque People or Euskal Herria is a People with its own identity within the community of European peoples, repository of a singular historical, social and cultural heritage, distributed geographically in seven Territories, currently articulated in three different legal-political regions, and located in two different States.". (Preface)

2. Right to decide.

"The Basque People have the right to decide their own future, as determined by absolute majority of the Basque Parliament on February 15 1990, and in accordance with the right to self-determination of all peoples, recognised at an international level in the International Agreement of Civil and Political Rights and in the International Agreement of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights". (Preface)

3. Exercising the right to decide

"The exercise of the right of the Basque People to decide their own future is based on a respect for the right of the citizens of the different legal-political regions in which it is currently articulated, to be consulted in order to decide their own future." (Preface)

4. Territoriality.

"Recognition is given to the right of the Basque Territories of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, Lapurdi, Nafarroa, Nafarroa Beherea and Zuberoa to associate within a territorial framework of relations, in accordance with the wishes of their respective inhabitants". (Article 2.1).

"The Community of the Basque Country shall foster the operations of a collaborating body with other Basque territories located within the French State, as well as with the Autonomous Community of Navarre, which shall attend to the common requirements of all the Basque people" (Article 7.2).

5. Bilateral relations with the Community of Navarre.

"The Community of the Basque Country and the Autonomous Community of Navarre may establish any political links and internal relationships at a municipal and territorial level of that they consider to be most appropriate for the development and social, economic and cultural well-being of their citizens, without any limitation other than their own wishes". (Article 6).

6. Bilateral relations with the Basque Territories of Iparralde

"Basque institutions shall give priority to the relations with the Basque territories of Iparralde……. making use of the potential offered by current or future regulations on cross-border co-operation, including the capacity to establish instruments of co-operation at a municipal and territorial level, based on a respect for the wishes of their respective citizens". (Article 7.1).

7. Framework of relations between the Basque Country and the Spanish State based on free association

"As an integral part of the Basque People, or Euskal Herria, the citizens of the Basque Territories of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa,, in the exercise of their right to decide, freely and democratically, their own framework of organisation and political relations, and as an expression of the Basque nation and guarantee of self-government, form a Basque Community, freely associated with the Spanish State, within a framework of free solidarity with the peoples who form part of same". (Article 1).
 
8. Obligation to reach agreements

In accordance with the textual application of the legal principle formulated by the Supreme Court of Canada, the following is proposed:

"When, in the democratic exercise of free decision, Basque citizens should manifest in a referendum proposed for this purpose, their clear and unequivocal wish, upheld by an absolute majority of votes declared to be valid, to make complete or substantial changes in the format and regime of political relations with the Spanish State, the Institutions of the Basque Community and the State, shall consider themselves obligated to guarantee the negotiation process in order to establish the new political conditions that will allow the materialisation of the democratic will of Basque society". (Article 13).

9. Priority nature of Human Rights

"Basque citizens are entitled to the fundamental Rights and Obligations set out in the Constitution, the rights and obligations established in the treaties of the European Union, that correspond to them as European citizens, as well as the human, individual and collective rights recognised internationally and, especially, those expressly contained in the Universal Decoration of Human Rights, the International Agreement on Civil and Political Rights, the International Agreement of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the European Agreement for the protection of Human Rights and the Fundamental Liberties". (Article 10).

In short, we believe that the Proposal for a New Statute has the potential to make progress towards political normalisation. With this, I do not intend to inhibit or undervalue other proposals, I simply wish to make contributions to the debate that is to initiate this new phase.  These, together with others, may represent key elements for reaching a Normalisation Agreement.

Towards an Integrating Agreement for Political Normalisation

We are commencing a new stage. We have a new opportunity. We are willing to discuss these issues in order to reach a Normalisation Agreement. We are not going to evade our responsibility nor will we spare any effort to attain this objective. We want to leave the doors wide open to dialogue and political normalisation.

Now, how are we to make progress? What procedural mechanism do we follow to make a process of dialogue without exclusions effective and that will allow us to reach an integrating Agreement for Normalisation?

These are the questions to which the political forces must respond jointly in a process to be completed prior to conversations.

In order to facilitate this process, our objective is to propose to all parties an open and flexible methodology to make progress. However, and before dealing with the methodological question, as Lehendakari, I consider that it is my responsibility to make a contribution at this Investiture Debate, to the principles, contents and instruments that the political forces should agree to before developing a multi-party dialogue.

This does not involve closed procedures or instruments. That is not right. I am aware that today, anything that is closed has no strategic value. The only strategy is a willingness to consider different contributions.

Initial principles for dialogue

According to our understanding of this issue, there are a series of principles that represent the basis to initiate a sincere dialogue capable of leading to a Normalisation Agreement. These principles also have the backing of Basque society and have been expressed, in one way or another, not only by different political interlocutors but also by a number of different forums and social agents that have been taking part part in the presentation of proposals and contributions to the process of political normalisation. Without intending to be exhaustive, in my opinion, the principles and commitments that have the widest support at this time are as follows:

- The principle of non-violence and the undertaking to respect human rights, using, solely and exclusively, political and democratic means.

- The principle of non-exclusion and the undertaking to respect the right to participate of all political, social and territorial groupings that may wish to do so.

- The democratic principle and undertaking to respect the wishes of the population and the right of Basque society to exercise their right to decide.

- The principle of equality and the undertaking to accept that all political projects defended democratically must find the channels to secure their incorporation in the code of laws.

- The principle of respect for and the undertaking not to impose, or impede the expression of different ideals, present in Basque society.

Contents of a Normalisation Agreement

Without prejudging other aspects that may be incorporated in virtue of the preliminary conversations between parties that must necessarily take place, the contents of the Agreement must focus on those questions that constitute true political normalisation and require basic integrating agreements not obtained until now.

In my opinion, these questions are as follows:

- Recognition of the Basque People as a political subject.

- The right of decision and its exercise

- Territoriality

- The framework of relations with the State

- The Agreement as undertaking


Instruments for dialogue

These must be the subject of prior negotiations and, sincerely, I consider that the instruments that may be used to undertake a process of dialogue must not represent an insurmountable obstacle or an nonnegotiable condition. They will have to be flexible and no one, no political group, must be excluded.

On the basis of the previous agreement on the initial principles, contents and the methodology to follow, it will be necessary to articulate a forum open to all Basque political forces who, necessarily, must take into consideration, at some time in the process, the contributions and thoughts of the social agents.

However, it will also be necessary for any agreements reached in this forum of political parties to be debated, developed and validated in the parliamentary and institutional sphere.

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To end this section, we can state that achieving and integrating an Agreement for Political normalisation is not a simple task because, if it were, we would have achieved this some time ago. But I believe that it is our responsibility to convey our joint undertaking to achieve this to Basque society. I am convinced that if there is real political will on all sides, an Agreement between legitimately different political feelings is possible and, furthermore, cannot be postponed any longer, because we have the basis to begin the process of dialogue.

 
II.3 The Basque Government, active agent of Peace and Normalisation

Political Normalisation, Peace and Reconciliation, these are the premises that will characterise the development of this legislature.

These are, especially, and above all, "real problems" that we must resolve in order to enjoy a scenario which, in addition to contributing to a state of coexistence, will be capable of generating a positive and transcendental impact on our rates of growth, well-being and social progress.

Society as a whole will be the main beneficiary, and therefore, all sectors of society must become involved in its resolution. It must not be left exclusively to politicians, nor must it be the sole responsibility of the government in power. Time has come for all of us to play our part in finding a solution. Trade unions and businessmen and women, young and all, the media, the church, the University, civic and cultural movements. We need the support of everyone to resolve the so-called "Basque conflict". Basque society must understand that it would be inadmissible to come to the end of this legislature with this issue still unresolved.

As candidate for Lehendakari, I am willing to give my word that we will not spare any effect until a solution is found and the bases of reconciliation are established.. With regard to this, I wish to announce the following undertakings, among others:

Bilateral institutional dialogue as a permanent undertaking

My personal undertaking and my responsibility will be to maintain a permanent, bilateral, fluent, honest and sincere dialogue with the President of the Spanish Government at all times. This is what we agree to at our meeting at the Moncloa after the elections of April 17, and today I wish to reiterate this undertaking publicly before this House. "A first step which will be followed by many more". That was my wish and that the joint undertaking we made, because what is at stake is coexistence and peace.

Promotion of a multi-party Dialogue Committee

Our undertaking is to facilitate and promote the setting up of a multi-party dialogue committee formed by representatives of all political parties. The responsibility for ensuring that this committee is formed in the shortest space of time possible does not only correspond to the government but to all political parties. The Government will propose that a work group be set up immediately, formed by representatives of all the political forces, so that, at the beginning of the parliamentary session, in the last quarter of the year, a joint proposal on the methodology, structure, objectives, contents, principles, composition and decision-making procedures of the Political Dialogue Committee may be prepared and submitted, as well as a specific proposal for a target date for reaching an agreement for political normalisation.

General plan in favour of Peace and Reconciliation

My undertaking is to draw up and approve, within a maximum period of six months, the General Plan in favour of Peace and Reconciliation, which will include and coordinate all the activities to be developed by the government in the area of human rights. This Plan will be structured around six major premises:

- Promotion of a culture of peace and democratic values

- Solidarity with the victims of terrorism

- Reparation of the victims of the Franco era and the recovery of our historical memory

- Respect for and recovery of civil rights and liberties and political participation

- Preclusion of torture and defence of the human rights of detainees

- Creation of an international Observatory of Human Rights and Liberties, as the embryo of an organisation that will be endorsed subsequently by an act of Parliament.

A new instrument at the service of the agreement: the Political Council for Normalisation
In order to respond to our undertakings and to strengthen the function of the Government as a proactive agent of political normalisation, peace and reconciliation, I wish to announce my intention of setting up within the government a Political Council at the highest level, formed by one minister of Eusko Alkartasuna, one minister of Ezker Batua-Berdeak and myself.  Among other duties, this council will have three priority aims:

- Lead, from the government, the process of conversations and meetings with political and social agents to foster the setting up of a multi-party dialogue committee without exclusions that will allow us to tackle the issue of an Agreement for Political Normalisation.

- Prepare, approve, foster and lead the general plan in favour of human rights and liberties that will contribute to facilitating a peace process and establish the bases of reconciliation.

- Articulate instruments to channel the contributions of social representatives and facilitate the participation of Basque society itself in order to complete the irreplaceable role of the political forces with a social network that will accompany and give shape to the processes of Peace, Political Normalisation and Reconciliation.

II.4) Basque society has the last word

We have before us a legislature full of opportunities. It is the responsibility of everyone to take advantage of these opportunities and to accomplish Peace and Political Normalisation. We all have our own irreplaceable contribution to make in order to achieve these objectives.

No one is sufficient, but we are all necessary….

ETA must take the decisive step and declare clearly and unequivocally its wish to put an end to the violence.

The Basque political parties must accept their responsibility and make an undertaking to Basque society to reach an Agreement of Political Normalisation based on the issues at the root of the political conflict.

Basque society as a whole, the media, economic and social agents, the world of culture, the University, young people, we must all become actively involved in order to facilitate and promote the peace process.

Between us all, we must show an attitude of generosity to recover the trust so devaluated today among us and establish a framework of coexistence that will open a future full of hope.
In this complex and, at the same time, heartening scenario, Basque society requires of its political leaders, not only a capacity for dialogue, but also honesty, clarity and specific commitments.
Basque society is a mature and sensible society that urges the political parties to sit down at a table and reach an agreement. It also demands its right to participate and make decisions about the democratic agreements reached.

 The final destination of the route cards of the immense majority of political parties is a democratically-held referendum to ascertain the opinion of Basque society and this constitutes, therefore, the political undertaking of the government coalition that I represent, for this legislature.

In this regard, I wish to declare formally before this House my commitment as Lehendakari that, if we reach an Agreement for Political Normalisation and Coexistence, I will request the authorisation of the Basque Parliament to hold a referendum, against a background of non-violence and without exclusions, in order to ratify the Political Agreement reached.

This authorisation by Parliament must include, by agreement, different aspects relating to the referendum itself, such as the ratification of the conditions of non-violence and non exclusion, the democratic principles established for the acceptance of the results and the procedure to enable these to be negotiated and incorporated in the code of laws.

I should like to end this talk by making reference to my thoughts at this stage. We are initiating a new and transcendental phase in our history. Basque society has asked all political representatives to be responsible, clear and honest in the search for a solution to the so-called Basque problem. We have undertaken a course of action that we must see to the end. We have the image of a society that urges the political classes to work efficiently, to seek solutions, and to reach permanent agreements. This must be, therefore, the legislature of dialogue, agreement and decision.

I am convinced that we have before us a new historic opportunity and all political forces must rise to the occasion in order to convert our hopes and expectations into a reality.

In the name of the Government that I represent, I wish to convey to Basque society my firm resolve to ensure that the next Government will be an active agent in favour of dialogue for Political Normalisation, Peace and Reconciliation. We wish to create a central and integrating forum to lead the country, based on a recognition of the diversity of political standpoints and in which the immense majority of the political ideals of Basque society are respected and represented.

The time has come for us all to accept a responsibility. The inhabitants of the Basque Country must also accept their own responsibility. Because each and every one of us have a part of the solution. If democracy is participation, debate and the exercise of the right to decide, it is the moment for Basque society to assume its role.

We have the opportunity to decide our own future in peace and in liberty.

We have the opportunity to initiate a new era of coexistence and reconciliation.

This is the epoch that it is our fortune to have lived. I trust Basque society entirely and I am convinced that between us all we are going to open the door definitively to hope.

Eskerrik asko.