In 1936 the Basques were a conservative and pious people who were given autonomy by the left-wing republican government in Madrid. The leftos in the Popular Front Government started a reign of terror against their opponents, and the military supported by the right rose against the government to start the Spanish Civil War. The Basques, who should have been against the government because of ideology, were forced into supporting it to preserve their semi-independence. To make a long story short, the Republicans lost to the rising and Franco who rose to the top was the victor. All the Basque privileges were revoked and this is the genesis of the present terrorism. Not all Basques supported the Republic in 1936 as the Basques in Navarre and Alava  generally fought with the insurgent forces. The recent crackdowns after 9/11 is making headways against this, totally vicious, group.

Interesting group, smarter, more politically conscious and more media savvy than most of the others on this list.

Is any separatist movement much different in doctrine and methods from others? Do they actually have no other civilized options or does it have to be so?

I have some sympathy for their cause, though with Franco dead, I don't see that it contains an urgency requiring violence. It's telling that the conservative government in Spain was brought down by its assumption that the Al Qaeda attacks were the work of Basque separatists. The feelings run deep.

Back when the ETA was started in 1959, they were patriots fighting against a power that was vigorously attempting to stamp out their cultural heritage. Until 1976, most everyone in the Basque Region would have given them a 4 or a 5. I just think that after fighting for so long, it became ingrained in some of their personalities. This was then passed on to their families and such. Since Juan Carlos granted autonomy, the ETA has become very misguided. They fought for a separation when it seemed like their only hope. Now, they are still clinging to that goal even though it is no longer to their advantage.

These guys don't even really have a purpose.

A hollow organisation with no reasons for their cause. The Basque lands, particularly in Spain, receive huge autonomy and a lot of public cash directed their way. When speaking with a young girl there,she said she was for ETA because it kept their way of life, but when pressed as to how, she had no idea. This sort of nonsense and hatred is passed down through the families, very often without any foundation to the younger generation. If Spain or France left those areas, this lot would be in deep doo-doo. Again an outfit that just enjoys the violence.

these cowards and terrorists all deserve to hang

Some of their attacks seem to be publicity stunts - attacking tourist centres but not actually killing anyone. If they have a legitimate grievance with the spanish government they should talk. Because they are killing people the spanish government wont talk to them, so they should obvoiusly stop. Im not totally up to date on the history of the Basque region so i wont say any more except to say that spain is a great country.

A bunch of heartless soulless killers. Franco should have done something to stop them!

Just a group of rag-tag idiots.

Fight on and never give up. ETA shall prevail. From your Irish Republican friend

ETA are a revoultionary organisation devoted to the liberation of Basque Country. I support them fully, as I do all Liberation groups. They are taking back what is theirs and what was taken from them.

what are they fighting over - they have it all and live better than 99% of the world....

what do these guys want?? Spain is the freest and most open country in the world!! Franco has been dead for a long time - its time for these guys to chill out and enjopy the wonderful freedom that Spain and France provide!!!