WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- The U.S. designated here Thursday Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) veteran Jose Antonio Urruticoechea Bengoechea (AKA Ternera) for his engagement in terrorist activities.
The State Department said in a statement that as a result of this designation, "all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Jose Antonio Urruticoechea Bengoechea has any interest is blocked and any assets he may have under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen".
It added that "U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him. This action will help stem the flow of financial and other assistance to this ETA leader".
Ternera's "status as a long term ETA member and his engagement in terrorist activities such as murder, bombings, recruiting, training, and providing logistical support for a terrorist organization, constitute a threat to U.S. interests," the statement stressed.
It noted that he is wanted "for terrorism and the murder of 11 people," and that he has played "a decisive role in ETA's terrorist activities for decades, both from prison, where he spent more than ten years, and for more than a decade as a fugitive from justice".
ETA was also designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997. (end) si.gb KUNA 152156 Dec 11NNNN