Basque separatist group Eta are seeking peace talks with the incoming Spanish government but will be maintaining its armed campaign in the meantime, the Basque newspaper Garasaid on its Web site today.
"ETA maintains its 'decision to continue its fight' and its disposition to achieve a resolution 'through dialogue'," the paper said, quoting an ETA communique in the Basque language.
The incoming Socialist Party government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero had no immediate comment.
ETA has killed 840 people in a bloody four-decade struggle for an independent Basque homeland in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. Last year it carried out three killings.
Mainstream Basque nationalists have urged Madrid for years to follow Britain's example in opening a dialogue with Sinn Féin.
Garaquoted Eta as urging Mr Zapatero to adopt "strong and bold measures for the Basque country".
ETA said it is possible to reach peace "through reason and common sense" but acknowledged "it will not be easy".