A glance at Basque separatist group ETA and its goals

A glance at Basque group ETA and its goals

A glance at the armed Basque separatist group ETA and its conflict with Spain.

HISTORY — ETA was formed in 1959 during the right-wing dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. Its name is a Basque-language acronym for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, meaning Basque Homeland and Freedom.

AIMS — The group aims is for an independent state made up of Basque areas in northern Spain and southwestern France and parts of the northern Spanish region of Navarra.

VIOLENCE — After initially seeking its goals through political means, ETA began to resort to violence, mainly car bombs and point-blank shootings. Its first killing was in 1968. ETA is now blamed for more than 825 deaths.

POLITICAL SUPPORT — Political parties linked to ETA have been banned in recent years. Previously, groups such as Batasuna used to garner some 12 percent of votes in regional elections.

MEMBERS — During the 1970s and early 1980s, ETA was estimated to have had around 1,000 members, out of a regional population of just more than 2 million. In the 1990s, France stepped up cooperation with Spain in chasing down ETA militants who had traditionally sought refuge there. Authorities claim the group has been reduced to a handful of commandoes with two to three members each.

PRISONERS — There are now nearly 1,000 ETA members jailed in Spain and France.