Spain's political establishment has dismissed a call by Basque separatists for peace talks. At a rally in San Sebastian, Batasuna leaders said dialogue between all sides was needed to end decades of armed conflict, and called for a referendum on the future of the Basque country. Batasuna is banned because it is seen as linked to the guerrilla group ETA. Party leader Arnaldo Otegi told the crowd: "It's sometimes more difficult to make peace than to make war. To make peace means getting the political and armed conflict off the streets and taking it to the negotiating table. It means getting everyone involved in the process, even our enemies." But Otegi stopped short of demanding ETA cease its campaign of violence, and that is why Spanish politicians on both the left and the right are distinctly unimpressed. Socialist party spokesman Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba responded: "In a democracy, you should only be able to hear the voices of those who speak, not the noise of guns or explosions, or whispered threats." Angel Acebes, the right-wing former justice minister, was blunter: "I think we have to redouble our efforts to stop a party like Batasuna holding similar public events, as it's an illegal organisation which backs terrorism. It's an affront to our democracy that Batasuna - in other words ETA - held this rally." The former conservative government outlawed Batasuna in March 2003. The party denies it is the political wing of ETA. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Arnaldo Otegi, leader of the outlawed ETA political wing Batasuna, holds a document as he delivers his speech from a stage covered with famous Palestinian symbol during a political rally in San Sebastian November 14, 2004. (REUTERS)