Herri Batasuna calls for talks

Brussels - The Basque independence party Herri Batasuna yesterday repeated its call for broad-based peace talks following a ceasefire…

Brussels - The Basque independence party Herri Batasuna yesterday repeated its call for broad-based peace talks following a ceasefire declared by the separatist guerrillas of ETA.

Representatives of the party, considered the political wing of ETA, told a news conference in Brussels they wanted to see peace talks with all involved parties taking part, but they refused to be drawn on how long the guerrillas were committed to maintaining a ceasefire.

Asked whether the ceasefire might last for only a limited period if the Spanish government continued to demand that ETA surrender its arms, Ms Elena Beloki, the Herri Batasuna delegate to the EU, said: "You have to listen to ETA. They have given an indefinite period."