News

Spain''s Home Office Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, announced on Thursday that ETA were intending to set up an alternative logistics centre in Portugal.

During an interview with Spain''s channel Cuatro, the Minister explained that he was reporting on information confirmed by national security forces.

Pérez Rubalcaba said ETA was hoping to set up an alternative logistics site to the one it already has in France, which has lately come under thorough scrutiny from French police, choosing to transfer a section of its arms and equipment supply to Portugal.

Happy with court decision

On a different note, Rubalcaba also greeted with satisfaction the Supreme Court''s decision to grant a stay of proceedings and reject the lawsuit brought by victims of terrorism associations against current Basque President Patxi López, his predecessor Juan José Ibarretxe, Basque Interior Councilor Rodolfo Ares as well as five members of Batasuna for meetings held between the three politicians and the erstwhile leaders of the (outlawed) Basque nationalist party during ETA’s ceasefire in 2006.

"I always believed it unreasonable to put those on the bench who, during a period of ceasefire, try speaking to those (with whom they) can speak of peace; not bring peace, but at least intervene in the process,” said the Minister, who branded it "complete nonsense" to penalize or put on trial such action.