Three hooded men jumped on the stage at a homage to ETA terrorists killed in action held yesterday in the village of Aritxulegi (near Oiartzun), where they made a statement in the name of the terrorist organisation before running off through a nearby forest.

"Until independence and socialism have been achieved for the Basque homeland, we reaffirm our commitment to take up arms. The struggle is not the past, it is the present and the future," they said.

A statement from the outlawed Batasuna party stated that they want to push ahead with a "process that has the key objective of achieving recognition for the Basque homeland, and the right to decide its own territorial boundaries."

The statement, which is addressed to the "Basque people," continued by saying that six months after the start of the ceasefire, the peace process is in a "grave situation."

The party blames the PSOE for paralysing negotiations, and the Spanish and French police, who "remain committed to repression."

The statement concludes by calling on president Zapatero to keep his promise to respect the freely expressed wishes of the Basque people.

For his part, regional president, Juan José Ibarretxe, said earlier today that the "relationship between Spain and the Basque country will always be fragile if it is not decided voluntarily."

He was speaking at a political rally coinciding with the 'Alderdi Eguna' (Day of the party) in Foronda near Victoria in front of thousands and PNV (Basque nationalist) party members and supporters.

Neither Mr Ibarretxe, nor PNV president, Josu Jon Imaz, were willing to comment on the statement from ETA made yesterday by the three hooded men in Aritxulegi.