Sir, - I write regarding an article by Mr Frank McNally ("Basque youth group sees NI as an example", July 1st). Since it seems to provide a distorted view on the position of the Spanish Government, I would like to clarify a couple of points.
Only very marginal voices make the parallel between Ulster and the Basque Country. The only similarity is violence, but that cannot obscure the truth that in the Basque Country we do not have two opposed communities, but an isolated terrorist gang supported by a political branch backed by a minority.
Concerning dialogue, the Spanish Government has stated repeatedly that, for it to happen, the terrorist organisation ETA has to declare a permanent ceasefire. - Yours, etc., Carlos Sanchez,
Press Counsellor, Spanish Embassy,
Belgrave Square,
London.