05/11/2008
Spanish PM José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he "will listen" to the proposal of the Basque PM Juan José Ibarretxe "just as he has already been doing so far".
In a party meeting held in the Bilbao Exhibition Center for the celebration of the Rose party, Zapatero said he will convey the Basque PM a "message of coexistence because most of the Basque citizens do not want adventures or confrontation of identities".
However, Zapatero also reminded Ibarretxe that he should first reach an agreement with the Basque parties.
Zapatero added it was time for dialogue and agreements and not to repeat previous confrontation.
Both the Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and the Basque Socialist leaders remembered the victims of terrorism, especially the former town councillor of Arrasate Isaías Carrasco.
Route map
Ibarretxe plans a referendum on the region's future. The referendum, which might take place Oct. 25, 2008, would be based on two principles: rejection of violence by the armed Basque group ETA and what he called the right of the Basque people to choose their future.
If approved, the referendum would issue a mandate for the government to undertake new peace talks with ETA. Ibarretxe would seek support from Madrid for holding the vote, but go ahead with it no matter what the Spanish government decides.
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