Scores die in Madrid bomb carnage

[Timber Loftis]

Perhaps it is only a matter of time. Hopefully, though, as more cells are broken, it will be more and more time between each of these horrible occurrences.

And, sorry mate, but news stations here are reporting AQ is taking credit, and they are basically assuming it's true.

[Dreamer128]

Originally posted by Link: Morbid fact, but more coincidence if you ask me. I know you mean nothing with it, Groj, but those 'facts' (ooh look these numbers, turn them around and divide them by two, and you'll get 911!!!) are getting the best of me lately.

Heh.. I know what you mean. Still, two and a half years. Isn't that around..say.. 911 days?

[Davros]

912 days actually Dreamer 128 - well don't look at me - someone was going to do the maths eventually.

I was in Spain a couple of months ago - sad to see all that carnage amongst such a happy fun loving people. The sad thing is that all the investigative resources in the world isn't going to stop all the attacks of this type from getting through to innocent targets . That's not to say that I disagree with the road taken since 911 - you can't bow down to terrorism either - our policing organisations do their best to stop these things but there is no such thing as a gaurantee.

Twin Towers - Bali - Madrid - .... it's not a cycle that is over unfortunately.

[wellard]

Just an update BBC News

Spanish authorities have arrested five suspects in connection with the Madrid blasts which killed 200 people.
Interior Minister Angel Acebes told a news conference three Moroccans and two Indians were being held.

The suspects may have links with extremist Moroccan groups, the minister said, but it was still too early to confirm this.


The five suspects were arrested in different parts of the capital, and were handed to the country's High Court which is in charge of investigating the attacks, the minister said.

Mr Acebes said the men were believed to be linked with the sale and falsification of a mobile phone and SIM card found by police near one of the bomb blasts on Thursday.

The phone was inside a bag containing one of the bombs which failed to explode.

Mr Acebes assured the Spanish public that all lines of investigation were still open and he reminded Spaniards it had only just begun.

But he promised he would continue to make public every new piece of information.

Earlier, hundreds of protesters held a noisy rally in Madrid accusing the government of manipulating facts about the attackers.

They told reporters the government had been trying to promote the theory that Basque separatist group Eta was responsible for its own political advantage ahead of Sunday's general elections.


I hope they have as much sucsess as the Austrailian / Indonisian police had with the Bali bombing.

[Dreamer128]

Anti-government protests in Spain

Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered outside the headquarters of Spain's ruling Popular Party - determined to express their anger ahead of today's election. "Before we vote, we want the truth," they cried, accusing the authorities of lying over the likely culprits behind Thursday's train explosions. They believe Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's administration jumped to the conclusion that ETA was responsible for purely electoral reasons. His government has campaigned on its hardline stance against the armed Basque group and public revulsion at an ETA attack would, it is argued, translate into votes for the Popular Party at the ballot box.

An al Qaeda strike on the other hand would likely have the opposite effect, with some perceiving it as the price for Aznar's domestically unpopular support of the US-led war in Iraq.The protests were repeated across the nation, in cities including Barcelona and Bilbao. Earlier, a Spanish radio station that is frequently critical of the right-of-centre government reported that intelligence services were "99 percent certain" that radical Muslims were behind the blasts - something the private SER station claimed the authorities had been aware of. This was denied by the Interior Minister.

The demonstrations took place on a day that was supposed to be dedicated to "reflection" - with political activities banned due to the proximity of the election. This led to strong words from the two main parties battling it out at the polls.

[Source: EuroNews]

[Stratos]

A bit off-topic, but yet not...

Is seems that the Socialists won Sundays election.

Spain's Rajoy concedes defeat

Spain's ruling Popular Party has conceded defeat in the general election. Mariano Rajoy congratulated the Socialists, who, according to partial results, took a narrow win. Voters appeared to have punished the PP over its handling of the Madrid train blasts. The Socialists are likely to turn to smaller parties to form a coalition government.

Source: EuroNews

[Timber Loftis]

I have heard that the Al-Queda tape taking credit for this was dropped in a trash bin in Italy, and that because this is not Al-Queda's style, it is still suspected they are not involved. Any more info, guys?

[Stratos]

It doesn't have to be al-Quaida itself, it might as well be a 'supporter' group that thinks they are doing their part by commiting these acts. That doesn't mean that they have a direct link to AQ. Some talk about some Maroccan group has surfaced.

Or so I've heard from terrorists experts.

[ 03-15-2004, 03:06 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

[Lanesra]

Originally posted by Oblivion437: We will know where to lay some hurt though... The real agent of terror in this situation might remain unknown for some time. Or little time at all.

Tell me where you lay the hurt then? do you understand these people at all ? what does a terrorist look like then ? is it all down to skin colour ? do they have thick eyebrows, are their eyes too close together ? Let me know if you find out?

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Donut: quote: Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Anyone have a good link regarding ETA and, more importantly, the separatist movement? Why would you prefer it to be ETA, D1?

Because if it's Al Qauda they did it because Spain supported the US in Iraq. The UK will be next on their list.

It doesn't really matter. It's only a matter of time anyway. [/QUOTE]Well, Al-Qaeda are continuing the crusades right?

So... seeing as this lot were Morroccans, I'd say it's in retaliation for the Spainish kicking out their Islamic Moorish oppressors all those years ago, wouldn't you?

Or, in retaliation for the Spanish ruling parts of North Africa after they kicked out the Moors.

WDoes hate need a reason anyway? It would seem hate is devoid of reason.