The United States has ordered banks to block the assets of 21 individuals connected to the Basque separatist group ETA.

Paul O'Neill

Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill said Tuesday the action is part of an international effort to track and block terrorist money following the September 11th attacks on the United States.

Secretary O'Neill says it is also a result of close cooperation with Spain and the European Union.

ETA has staged frequent and deadly attacks in its 33-year campaign for the creation of an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwestern France. More than 800 people have been killed in the conflict.

The U.S. State Department has classified the group as a terrorist organization.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

Email this article to a friend
Printer Friendly Version