A partial wave analysis of BES J/psi --> gamma(eta pi(+)pi(-)) data has bee
n performed in the mass region 1.1 to 2.0 GeV. A peak is observed due to et
a(1440) in the eta pi(+)pi(-) invariant mass distribution; J(P) = 0(-) is p
referred over li. Its mass is M = 1385 +/- 7 MeV and it decays into both et
a sigma and a(0)(980)pi, with BR[a(0)(980)pi, a(0) --> eta pi/eta sigma] =
0.70 +/- 0.12(stat) +/- 0.20(syst). Destructive interference between the tw
o decay modes is observed. In addition, in the higher eta pi(+)pi(-) mass r
egion, there is a definite 2(-+) signal, with M = 1840 +/- 15 MeV and Gamma
= 170 +/- 40 MeV and an additional 0(-+) signal at 1760 +/- 35 MeV. We als
o find a possible contribution from a 1(++) signal decaying dominantly thro
ugh a(0)(980)pi; its mass and width are fitted to be M = 1505 +/- 20 MeV an
d Gamma = 130(-20)(+50) MeV. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese
rved.