Bilbao, Spain - The political wing of the militant Basque separatist group ETA is seeking a pro-independence political process "without violence," according to a document published by the Basque newspaper Gara on Tuesday.

The outlawed party Batasuna did not, however, condemn the violence of ETA, which has been set as a condition for its legalization by the Spanish government.

Batasuna was banned in 2003 as the political wing of ETA, which is held responsible for more than 820 deaths since 1968.

Batasuna wanted to unite radical Basque pro-independence political forces into a common front to defy the Spanish state, Batasuna leadership said in the document.

The party was seeking a "democratic process" which would take place "without any violence or external interference," the document was quoted as saying.

The document was published following the arrests of Batasuna leader Arnaldo Otegi and nine others on charges of trying to resuscitate the illegal party last week.

ETA was believed to have given the green light to the creation of a pro-independence front comprising pro-ETA as well as some non-violent separatists in an attempt to reintegrate its political arm into Basque political life, the daily El Mundo said.

ETA was believed to be hoping to relaunch negotiations with Spain on Basque independence, but the government rejects such talks unless the group lays down arms, following a failed attempt at talks in 2006.

The Batasuna document was published following the arrest of ETA's suspected political leader Aitor Elizaran in France on Monday.

Elizaran was the seventh ETA leader to be captured since the group ended a 14-month ceasefire in summer 2007. (dpa)