ETA issues warning against Spanish government

The Basque separatist group ETA has warned that it considers Spain's ruling right-wing party and the socialist opposition as "…

The Basque separatist group ETA has warned that it considers Spain's ruling right-wing party and the socialist opposition as "military targets."

ETA said in a statement to Basque radio that it would take unspecified "measures against the headquarters and meetings organised by" the ruling Popular Party of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and the Spanish Workers' Socialist Party.

ETA said it regarded both parties as "fascists" over their efforts to ban its political wing Batasuna, and warned people to stay away from their headquarters and not to take part in political meetings.

Last month a Spanish judge ordered the suspension of Batasuna's political activities because the party had failed to disassociate itself publicly from ETA's violence. Mr Aznar's right-wing government has petitioned Spain's Supreme Court to ban the party altogether.