Madrid 'still not convinced' ETA wants to give up arms

-- The interior minister has dealt a blow to hopes of peace with the Basque separatist organisation ETA by saying the government is still not convinced the terrorists want to give up the armed struggle.

Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba admitted that the government has not reached the conclusion that ETA wants to "put an end to the violence".

But he said that there was a "solid basis" for keeping the peace process with ETA alive.

ETA announced a permanent ceasefire in March, raising hopes the terrorist organisation had given up violence for good after 38 years of attacks in pursuit of a separate Basque state. --