Spanish government Sunday rejected the call of the armed Basque separatist group ETA for political negotiations, saying to lay down weapons will be the precondition for any possible dialogue.

Defense Minister Jose Bono dismissed both ETA and its politicalwing Batasuna's call for dialogue, saying: "You can't talk to someone with a gun in his hand ... Nobody sensible can sit down with these people."

"The priority for ETA now is to lay down weapons and end terrorist attacks, not negotiations," Bono said.

The Popular Party, Spain's current largest opposition party, Sunday echoed the government's stand, rejecting any negotiation with ETA before it disarms itself.

The government has also rejected a proposal by the Basque regional premier to grant the Basque provinces a "status of free association" with Spain which is very close to independence.

In a statement published by a Basque newspaper Gara on Sunday, ETA said it agrees to a proposal made by Batasuna for political dialogue with the Spanish government, saying "the only way to resolve the conflict is to organize an open and concrete dialogue aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement."

However, it did not mention laying down weapons and ceasefire as demanded by the government before talks can begin.

ETA has killed more than 800 people since 1968 in a bombing andshooting campaign for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France. Spain, the United States and the European Union have branded it a terrorist group.

Source: Xinhua