SPAIN: Basque separatist group Eta said yesterday peace talks with the Spanish government were in crisis and threatened to respond to what it called repression of pro-independence activists.
"If the attacks continue against Euskal Herria (the Basque Country), Eta will respond," the group said, using language which will be interpreted as a threat to end its five-month-old ceasefire and resume 38 years of armed struggle.
The unspecified threat was contained in a communique sent to Basque newspaper Gara hours after separatist politicians complained about a three-year-old ban on Batasuna, a party linked to Eta.
Talks with the government were in "evident crisis", Eta said, laying the blame on the lack of "bold decisions towards establishing a democratic framework in Euskal Herria". The government has used repression to weaken the Abertzale Left, Eta said, using the Basque term for the pro-independence movement.
A government official said Eta was applying pressure for Batasuna to be allowed into planned discussions between political parties on the future of the Basque Country.
There is consensus that any deal must include Batasuna but the Socialists say the ban on the party, imposed for its links to Eta, will not be lifted until it condemns violence. There was little danger the group would break its truce, said an official, who did not want to be named. "They're just playing politics," he said.
Analysts say Eta has been weakened by hundreds of arrests in recent years.