Protests ahead of EU Eta debate

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Hundreds have demonstrated outside the European Union's offices in Madrid against a European Parliament debate on the Basque separatist group, Eta.

The protesters say the peace process started by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is immoral.

And they say the debate will give publicity to terrorists.

But the Spanish government says Eta is the last active terrorist group in Europe and it is therefore normal for the parliament to discuss the issue.

Tuesday night's march was organised by the Association for the Victims of Terrorism, with support from the conservative Popular Party,

Eta remains on the EU's list of illegal terrorist groups.

But European MPs are expected to vote on a resolution from socialist deputies supporting the Madrid government's process of dialogue with Eta, reports the BBC's Danny Wood in Madrid.

The majority of Spaniards are in favour of their prime minister's attempt to bring peace to the Basque region and the government says debating and voting on this issue in Brussels is all about showing European solidarity against terrorism.