French role Historically, members of ETA took refuge in France, particularly the French Basque Country. The leadership typically chose to live in France for security reasons, where police pressure was much less than in Spain. Accordingly, ETA's tactical approach had been to downplay the issue of independence of the French Basque country so as to get French acquiescence for their activities. The French government quietly tolerated the group, especially during Franco's regime, when ETA members could face the death penalty in Spain. In the 1980s, the advent of the GAL still hindered counter-terrorist cooperation between France and Spain, with the French government considering ETA a Spanish domestic problem. At the time, ETA members often travelled between the two countries using the French sanctuary as a base of operations.Spain looks to France for help against Basque separatists. France24 (26 September 2008). Retrieved on 30 January 2011.
French role Historically members of ETA took refuge in France particularly the French Basque Country The leadership typically chose to live in France for security reasons where police pressure was much less than in Spain Accordingly ETA's tactical approach had been to downplay the issue of independence of the French Basque country so as to get French acquiescence for their activities The French government quietly tolerated the group especially during Franco's regime when ETA members could face the death penalty in Spain In the 1980s the advent of the GAL still hindered counter-terrorist cooperation between France and Spain with the French government considering ETA a Spanish domestic problem At the time ETA members often travelled between the two countries using the French sanctuary as a base of operationsSpain looks to France for help against Basque separatists France24 (26 September 2008) Retrieved on 30 January 2011