Just speculation here, but isn’t it more convenient for Aznar to blame ETA than AQ on the eve of an election? ETA atrocities tend to bring all Spaniards together, while an AQ attack would re-mobilise the anti-war sentiment and blame Aznar for making Spain a target through his support for the war.
Also, maybe Spaniards will feel a little more empathy with Israelis and understand their desperate wish to wall off the suicide bombers. I do not agree with the wall, but think that those who are protesting against it in Spain and elsewhere might be advised to put themselves in the victims’ shoes before condemning it.
I was in Madrid recently, in Atocha station, I have friends and relatives there. I’m still waiting to hear if they are OK.
Martha, I too hope your friends and relatives are OK.
I also think this is a really inappropriate thread in which to complain about people who disagree with the Israeli security wall. It’s not like Spain hasn’t been dealing with terrorism in its own way for quite some time, though clearly never anything on this scale. Maybe take it to Great Debates?
I apolgise for going off topic, it’s just that I heard about the protest in Madrid a couple of days ago, and then this bombing - so the two were linked in my mind. Consider it a parenthesis in my post.
As for the Spaniards feeling empathy with other nations may I point out that ETA have killed over 800 ( repeat 800 ) people since 1968 . I think the Spanish people are well in tune with other nations regarding acts of terror. We were in Madrid last September , and are going again this year. It is a wonderful city with wonderful people . I only hope that this terror act will not stop the wonderful outgoing outlook of most Madrilenos. The Spanish Prime Minister is calling for a mass turn-out tomorrow to demonstrate against this outrage .
I clicked on the BBC link just as my computer was playing “I’m sorry” by New Found Glory.
An empty chair at all the tables
And I’ll be seeing you when all my days boil down
For now we’ll say goodbye
We know it’s not the last time
I’ve lost the best part of my day…
But it’s better where you’re going anyway
The BBC are carrying a ticker tape report that Arabic tapes and detonators have been found in a stolen vehicle in Madrid. Looks more likely now that it was AQ, or at least a collaboration between ETA and AQ.
ETA could well have had help from AQ, god knows these fuckers all help eachother out.
They caught a group if IRA explosives experts in Columbia a few years back.
Well, there’s almost certainly been some mutual terrorist back-scratching going on (witness Chechnya), but if it turns out that Al-Qaeda was helping ETA, would that be the first instance of collaboration between Al-Qaeda and a non-Muslim group? I mean, I know about “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” but that would be a real stretch.
Not to hijack the thread any further, but the evidence against the “IRA explosives experts” was pretty thoroughly discredited at their trial.
I couldn’t really see AQ helping ETA out anyway. I don’t think the radical left politics of the Basque separatist groups really fit in with AQ’s plans for the world.
AQ might not be particularly interested in Basque issues, but if more relevant targets are being successfully blocked for them, they might consider it worth their while to “keep their hand in”. Terrorism is (god forgive me) almost like marketing, you need to keep people talking about you, keep having “new releases”, to keep your stock high…
Well 2004 03 11 can give you 20+04 + 03+11 which gives 24 + 03 + 11. Now add the numbers in the first two terms 2+4+3 = 9 so now we have a definitive link 9 11. :rolleyes:
My WAG is that bombers are clever enough to figure that by planting a Koran and some language tapes in a van (why never a scooter?) they can almost instantly build confusion into an investigation making it easier to get away or cover their tracks.
In a five-page e-mail claim sent to Al-Quds al-Arabi, Abu Hafs al-Masri said the brigade’s “death squad” had penetrated “one of the pillars of the crusade alliance, Spain.”
“This is part of settling old accounts with Spain, the crusader, and America’s ally in its war against Islam,” the claim said.
The statement taunted the prime minister, asking: “Aznar, where is America? Who will protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and others from us?”
The message, which the newspaper faxed to The Associated Press office in Cairo, Egypt, also warned the United States that another major strike was approaching.
“We announce the good news for the Muslims in the world that the strike of the black wind of death, the expected strike against America, is now at its final stage - 90 percent ready - and it is coming soon, by God’s will,” the message said.
In Washington, White House spokesman Sean McCormack said, “We’ve seen the news reports, and we’re going to determine what the facts are.”
Shit. The “black wind of death” doesn’t sound very nice. I wonder if it’s all talk, or what the hell it would be, period.
If it’s any consolation Eva Luna, I think ( IF they do anything, anyways ) it sounds like some sort of…not plague, but something to that effect, a bomb, or something…something other than planes again. I think, I hope, we at least have that dept covered. Either way, it’s shitty. So nevermind. Sorry.
Don’t they know that we’ll just get em back 10x as hard?
I do think everything will be ok, sooner or later. Somehow, this is all happening for a good reason. Have hope, everyone, we will all be stronger in the long run.