Basques launch new party
Basque separatists have launched a new political party they say rejects violence by the armed group ETA.
The move is an unprecedented step designed to move the troubled region toward peace.
The party was presented today by more than a dozen activists including several former members of banned groups and one former ETA militant.
In recent years Spanish courts have banned several Basque parties because they do not condemn ETA. Under Spanish law all parties must reject violence.
The 2003 law has left pro-independence sympathisers associated with ETA without any parliamentary representation. They now hope that by rejecting all violence including that of ETA, they can take part in municipal elections in May.
It is up to the Interior Ministry to decide if the party can be authorised.
