Bomb explodes on Spanish road after ETA warning

MADRID, Mar 9 (Reuters) A bomb exploded near a highway between the Spanish cities of Bilbao and Santander today, authorities said, after a telephone warning in the name of Basque guerrillas ETA of four bombs planted on roads.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The bombs came on the same day as outlawed separatist party Batasuna, associated with ETA, called a general strike in the Basque region to protest against the local government's refusal to allow tributes to be paid to two ETA prisoners who died in jail.

The Basque road assistance organisation received a call just before 1130 Hrs Ist from someone claiming to represent ETA, warning it had planted four bombs on highways in northern Spain.

ETA has frequently used that method in the past to warn of attacks.

The bombs were said to be on the roads from Vitoria to Burgos, Pamplona to Logrono, Bilbao to Santander and Pamplona to Zaragoza.

ETA, classed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union, has stepped up its bombings in recent weeks, quashing speculation fostered by Spain's Socialist government that it was close to declaring a truce.

REUTERS SI PM1339