BASQUE BANNER FOR ETA AT START OF PAMPLONA SAN FERMIN FIESTA, 1998-07-06 (photo)

Supporters of the militant Basque separatist movement ETA bring a large banner into the town hall square as thousands of revelers continue spraying sparking wine on each other as the famed San Fermin fiesta begins July 6. The banner reading "GORA ETA", or "long live ETA", was carried by some 50 ETA supporters into the square along with Basque flags amid much whistling of disapproval. Last year the fiesta was suspended for 12 hours after the assassination by ETA of a politician and following street riots. The fiesta, internationally renowned for its running of the bulls, has attracted political activists from the Basque separatist movement for many years who use it as a stage to express their political views. JWH/EB