Spain asks France for information about reported theft of 200 pistols

MADRID, Spain Spain has asked France for information about reports that suspected members of the Basque separatist group ETA stole more than 200 pistols in southeast France, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

If confirmed the robbery would be the first such act by ETA since March 22, when ETA called what it described as a permanent cease-fire.

Three people robbed a gun-import company Monday night near the city of Nimes, tying up several employees, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser said.

French investigators said they suspected ETA because the robbers used handcuffs stolen on March 5 from two French gendarmes in the town of Figeat in a raid blamed on an ETA commando, the radio station reported.

The Spanish Interior Ministry would not comment on the reports, saying only that it had asked France for information.