ETA, the group of Basque separatist rebels, are ready to call for a ceasefire if a referendum on Basque Country independence is allowed to take place by the Spanish Government.

The rebels said that even though they have called for the end to fighting, they do not expect for the Government to meet their demands, and thus the group has pledged to continue to ‘bear arms’ so long as their requests are denied.

The Socialist Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, stated that the only option available to the ETA as far as the Government is concerned, is unilateral surrender, and pledged that all members of the group will be jailed.

Zapatero once tried to negotiate with the ETA during a nine month ceasefire but failed.

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