Basques accuse Spain of 'declaring war'

A senior member of the Basque separatist movement said the arrest of 23 of his fellow party members amounted to a “declaration of war” by the Spanish government.

“This police operation uncovers the decision of the Spanish government, which is to issue a total declaration of war against Basque independence,” said Pernando Barrena, a leader of the outlawed Batasuna party, at a news conference in the northern Basque city of San Sebastian yesterday.