Spanish Government tells ETA there are no short-cuts

The Vice-President of the Spanish Executive, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, speaking on Monday, restated the Government''s position with regard to ETA, declaring "there are no short-cuts". She went on to brand as "worthless" all statements "which do not announce a definitive end to violence," and ensured that the fight against terrorism would continue through the police and via the courts.

"There is nothing to say about what is essentially nothing new," declared the Vice-President referring to ETA''s latest announcement in which they called on the international community to participate in structuring a democratic process which could lead to a solution to the Basque "conflict".

Fernández de la Vega signalled that "at this stage" the armed organisation knows that only a "total and definitive" end to armed activity will do; "nothing else will do, there are no short-cuts".

As long as ETA failed to declare a "clear and resounding" end to violence, she said, the Spanish Government will continue working to put an end to the organisation through the means available to a state of law: the state security forces and the courts.

The Vice-President added that is was "significant" that all the political parties, had "once again" concurred in their evaluation of the latest statement, and praised the fact that "democrats" were showing a united front against ETA.