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Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 16:22 GMT

Eta in pictures

ETA announcing its ceasefire in March 2006

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The Basque separatist group Eta has announced a permanent end to its violent campaign for independence, which has lasted for nearly four decades.

Flames rise after a car bomb explodes in central Madrid, October 30, 2000

Flames rise after a car bomb explodes in central Madrid, October 30, 2000

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During the campaign, Eta has killed more than 800 people. They include Supreme Court magistrate Jose Francisco Querol, killed in a car bomb in October 2000.

Spanish policemen clear bomb debris in December 1973

Spanish policemen clear bomb debris in December 1973

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Eta's first deadly attack was in 1968. Five years later it launched this bombing, killing Spanish Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco.

Eta members in 1973

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Nine days later hooded men appeared at a secret press conference in southern France, to claim the attack for Eta.

Aftermath of Eta attack, 2000

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Car bombing remained a favourite tactic, often targeting police, the military, judges and politicians. This one killed Lt Col Pedro Antonio Blanco Garcia in Madrid in January 2000.

Aftermath of a car explosion in Spain

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Sometimes the method backfired. This car exploded as it was travelling along a road in Bilbao. Police think the three dead passengers were members of Eta.

Spaniards demonstrate against Eta, January 2000

Spaniards demonstrate against Eta, January 2000

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The attacks alienated many Spaniards. Hundreds of thousands marched in Madrid in January 2000 to show their disgust at Eta's violence.

An old Basque passes by ETA graffiti in a street of Pasaia village

An old Basque passes by ETA graffiti in a street of Pasaia village

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However, Basque separatists continued to draw strong support in their heartland, with Basques overwhelmingly voting for autonomy in 1979.

An Eta supporter raises a fist

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It is thought a crackdown by French and Spanish police, as well as general revulsion at the Islamist bombing of Madrid in 2004, combined to make Eta's campaign untenable.

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