No concessions for ETA wanted, says Batasuna chief

Arnaldo Otegi, Batasuna's leader who is on trial for glorifying terrorism, said Thursday that the Basque radical left wasn't looking for any concessions for ETA.

During the opening day of the trial, Otegi took advantage of his lawyer's direct examination to reiterate that the abertzale left wants a political solution to the Basque Country conflict. "In relation to the current situation, I want to make it clear that we are not proposing that there has to be some sort of political concessions for ETA," he said.

Chief Judge Fernando García de Nicolás ordered Otegi to stick to the facts of the case, interrupting his direct testimony on five occasions. Otegi, along with two other Basque radicals, is on trial for attending a 2004 meeting that prosecutors say was held to glorify terrorism. The defense claims the meeting was aimed at discussing a self-determination process for the region.

South African lawyer Brian Currin is expected today to present a working document for the international mediation of the conflict.