11.   Basque political parties and the Spanish government have said that ETA must halt its attacks and release a kidnapped prison official before peace talks could be held.

12.   Besides the Basque party, the main opposition Socialist party based in Madrid and three Catalan parties were among those expected to make claims.

13.   ETA, the Basque language initials for Basque Homeland and Freedom, and Basque political parties seek an independent nation carved out of northern Spain and southern France.

14.   It was approved with the support of Basque parties seeking more autonomy for the region and opposed by those against changing its status.

15.   Judge Baltasar Garzon had warned Monday that if Jon Idigoras, leader of the Basque nationalist party Herri Batasuna, did not attend the hearing he would be arrested.

16.   Leaders of a Basque separatist party accused of cooperating with the armed separatist group ETA testified Monday that they did not coordinate political strategy with the outlawed group.

17.   Mainstream Basque nationalist parties share its desire for an independent nation but say they oppose violence as the way to achieve the goal.

18.   Mainstream Basque political parties share its desire for an independent nation but say they oppose violence as the way to achieve the goal.

19.   Other Basque nationalist parties had also sided with Herri Batasuna but have changed their position since the Blanco murder.

20.   Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on Sunday urged lawmakers to outlaw the Basque separatist party Batasuna, widely seen as political wing of the armed group ETA.