This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/5375834.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Basque militants refuse to disarm | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Basque separatist group Eta has said it will not relinquish weapons until the region gets independence from Spain. | Basque separatist group Eta has said it will not relinquish weapons until the region gets independence from Spain. |
| Three hooded gunmen told an Eta rally in northern Spain their fight was not a thing of the past, despite a ceasefire announced six months ago. | Three hooded gunmen told an Eta rally in northern Spain their fight was not a thing of the past, despite a ceasefire announced six months ago. |
| Speaking after the statement, Spain's prime minister said he would work towards ending 40 years of violence. | Speaking after the statement, Spain's prime minister said he would work towards ending 40 years of violence. |
| His government has indicated that it is ready to talk to Eta, but has ruled out Basque independence. | His government has indicated that it is ready to talk to Eta, but has ruled out Basque independence. |
| Spain had their chance to be tough on terror and blew it James, Toronto, ON Send us your comments | |
| The BBC's Danny Wood, in the Spanish capital Madrid, says this is the sixth communication by the armed separatist group since it declared a permanent ceasefire in March. | The BBC's Danny Wood, in the Spanish capital Madrid, says this is the sixth communication by the armed separatist group since it declared a permanent ceasefire in March. |
| He says it could be the strongest sign yet that Eta is not prepared to give up the violent struggle for independence - or just a strategy before starting talks with the national government. | He says it could be the strongest sign yet that Eta is not prepared to give up the violent struggle for independence - or just a strategy before starting talks with the national government. |
| Shots fired | Shots fired |
| Saturday's rally was held in the town of Aritxulegi, near San Sebastian. | Saturday's rally was held in the town of Aritxulegi, near San Sebastian. |
| In their statement, reported by Basque media, the hooded gunmen said: "Until we achieve independence and socialism in the Basque country, we reaffirm our commitment to keep taking up arms firmly. | In their statement, reported by Basque media, the hooded gunmen said: "Until we achieve independence and socialism in the Basque country, we reaffirm our commitment to keep taking up arms firmly. |
| "The fight is not a thing of the past. It is the present and the future." | "The fight is not a thing of the past. It is the present and the future." |
| After the announcement, the militants fired shots into the air and disappeared into the forest. | After the announcement, the militants fired shots into the air and disappeared into the forest. |
| In a speech in Barcelona, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said: "We are going to be firm as we go forward. | In a speech in Barcelona, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said: "We are going to be firm as we go forward. |
| "The rules of the game are clear: respect for the law and peace, and peace means the absence of violence, of absolutely any kind of violence ... The end of violence has no price." | "The rules of the game are clear: respect for the law and peace, and peace means the absence of violence, of absolutely any kind of violence ... The end of violence has no price." |
| But the leader of Spain's conservative opposition, Mariano Rajoy, said the statement was a reminder that negotiating with terrorists was pointless. | But the leader of Spain's conservative opposition, Mariano Rajoy, said the statement was a reminder that negotiating with terrorists was pointless. |
| "Eta has not changed - Eta is still a terrorist organisation," he said. | "Eta has not changed - Eta is still a terrorist organisation," he said. |