Spanish Interior Minister Angel Acebes on Wednesday dismissed speculation that Basque rebels, weakened by arrests, could suspend their guerrilla campaign in favor of a referendum on greater autonomy. Basque Premier Juan Jose Ibarretxe has pledged a referendum on a state of “free association” with Spain for the already largely autonomous Basque region if political violence ceases. But Madrid, encouraged by a string of detentions, rejects the proposal as illegal and is instead focusing on police and judicial action to crush the ETA rebels. “The end of violence will not come from the Ibarretxe plan or any other plan for independence or secession,” Acebes said. “In the documents seized in raids, we see the organization is looking for new targets, and an attempt to restructure.” ETA, which is listed as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, is fighting for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwest France. Full Story
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