Euskadi Ta Askatasuna or ETA (Basque for "Basque Homeland and Freedom"; IPA pronunciationˈɛːta]) is defined as a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations but considered by itself as a paramilitary Basque nationalist group.
Founded in 1959, it evolved rapidly from a group advocating traditional cultural ways to an armed group demanding Basque independence. Its ideology is Marxist-Leninist.
All formulations of ETA's goals have centered on sovereignty and self-determination for Euskal Herria (Basque Country and Navarra). ETA's motto in Basque-Euskera is "aizkora bezain zorrotza eta sugea bezain zuhurra" which translates in English as "sharp like an axe and quiet like a snake"citation needed].
ETA has committed approximately 900 murders and dozens of kidnaps . More than 500 ETA militants are held in prison in Spain and Francecitation needed].
ETA's goal, as stated in 1995 in their Democratic Alternative publication, is to force through violence a negotiation with Spain and France to agree on the following: