ETA abandons revolutionary tax

"ETA informs entrepreneurs of the cancellation of the 'revolutionary tax’", in these neutral terms, Gara, a daily close to the Basque independence movement, has announced an endto ETA's extortion of funds from Basque businesses, which for years have been obliged to contribute to the organisation or face threats of kidnapping and assassination. In the wake of news of the terrorist group’s change of policy, which came in the form of a 28 April letter addressed to Basque and Navarran employers’ organisations, Gara hails "a major decision for better investment," and "a further example of [Eta's] unmistakable desire" to put an end to the "the use of arms in Basque politics." The non-explicit context for the change is the run-up to municipal elections on 22 May, in which independence campaigners are hoping to be included on lists presented by Bildu, a coalition whose candidates have yet to be banned by Spanish authorities. Another Basque newspaper El Correo, reminds its readers that the extortion racket was "one of the most eloquent proofs of the perverse nature" of Eta, and remarks that "the good news will be complete on the day when the terrorist organisation disappears for ever."