Fearful France Tightens Security Along Spanish Border - STILL HATE US?

NewsMax/PRN Newswire ^ | 3/11/04

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Border police tightened security Thursday between France and Spain after train bombings in Madrid that killed more than 170 people and wounded hundreds of others. Police stopped people on foot and searched cars and other vehicles, creating traffic jams at several checkpoints between the two countries, including Hendaye and Behobie. At the Biriatou border crossing, heavy trucks were stopped for security checks.

The French Basque region has long been a haven for militant Spanish Basques, although it has largely been spared the violence that has scarred the Spanish Basque provinces, just across the border.

President Jacques Chirac condemned the Madrid attacks and pledged "solidarity with Spain in fighting against this abominable scourge."

"Nothing ever justifies barbarity. Democracies must be and will be united in combatting this without weakness," Chirac said.

Cooperation between the two countries has been stepped up in the last few years. French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said in a message of sympathy that France would "contribute to strengthening increasingly tight cooperation with the kingdom of Spain."

More than 130 Basque militants are being held in French prisons, half of them convicted of terror crimes and the rest awaiting trial, according to judicial officials.

Spanish officials blamed Thursday's bombings on the Basque separatist group ETA. The leader of an outlawed Basque party linked to the group denied the attack was the work of ETA.

France has arrested numerous Spanish ETA members hiding out in the French Basque region, located in the southwest near the Pyrenees Mountains.

ETA is known to have used France to supply its network with explosives. It allegedly joined up with Breton Revolutionary Army, a tiny separatist movement in Brittany in western France, to steal eight tons of dynamite from a warehouse in 1999. Some of the explosives are thought to have been used in attacks by ETA and the Breton group.

[brownsfan]

"Nothing ever justifies barbarity. Democracies must be and will be united in combatting this without weakness," Chirac said.

Hah! I believe the French will be strong, sure I do, I really do. And the Spanish can count on the French to help! < / sarcasm>

[Dallas59]

Why does Europe support Palestinian Bombers but when it happens in thier own backyard...it's terrorism?

[bearkat]

So the French are willing to help the Spanish, but they weren't willing to help Americans after our own tragedy? It's different when it's closer to home... HUH ?

[dirtboy]

Fearful France Tightens Security Along Spanish Border

I see the Frenchies still have that Maginot Line mentality...

[concerned about politics]

"Nothing ever justifies barbarity. Democracies must be and will be united in combatting this without weakness," Chirac said.

Sure. Now that the killers are getting close to his own back yard. What a dork.
France is 20% Muslim, and the radical Muslims are taking the same route Hitler did years ago. Indoctrinate the children into martyrdom, military cartoons teaching them to hate, and especially the "Kill the Jew" propaganda.
Good luck, Chirac. When they knock on your door, try not to take the wrong side this time.

[SunnyUsa]

militant Spanish Basques

Just heard speculation that the "basques" may have had help, or it might not be them.

What a sickening, cowardly massacre of innocent people.

I just got off the phone with family who are frantically trying to get in touch with their American friends (professionals in their twenties) who commute on the train to Madrid - so far no luck.

[Durinda]

They're always strong in their own national interest (seeing as they always lean with the Germans - never more so than when Germany made them their property in WWII) - even if French soldiers are required to carry their standard issue white flag at all times in their kit and to be prepared to unfurl it at a moment's notice.

[ClearCase_guy]

And the Terrorists said: "Darn! The Pyrenees are closed to us! Now, we are powerless to attack France! The clever Frenchmen have foiled our evil plans!"

[HELLRAISER II]

I wouldn't count on any help from the Frenchie's, but they should be able to get help from us if an when they ask. They stood by us in Iraq.

[kahoutek]

Q: Why do the French plant trees along their streets?

A: The Germans prefer to march in the shade.

[concerned about politics]

ETA is known to have used France to supply its network with explosives. It allegedly joined up with Breton Revolutionary Army, a tiny separatist movement in Brittany in western France, to steal eight tons of dynamite from a warehouse in 1999. Some of the explosives are thought to have been used in attacks by ETA and the Breton group.

"What did Chirac know, and when did he know it?"

[AD from SpringBay]

One would think they would appeal to the UN before taking such a drastic measure.

[Porterville]

ETA denied involvement.

[Kakaze]

" France would "contribute to strengthening increasingly tight cooperation with the kingdom of Spain." "

I'd be carefull how close I let the french get, lest they sell your secrets and weaponary to the highest bidder.

[concerned about politics]

ETA denied involvement.

Yep.
"But Arnold Otegi, leader of Batasuna, an outlawed Basque party linked to the armed separatist group, denied it was behind the blasts and suggested "Arab resistance" elements were responsible". [Another thread on this story (last paragraph)]
Soooooo. NOW does Chirac understand the Muslim radical threat?

[kevao]

Israel should protest France for infringing on the human rights of Spaniards and Frogs alike to cross the border freely.

[Cicero]

As this article says, the French have long offered shelter and safety to Basque terrorists who do their dirty work in Spain. For that reason, the terrorists have left France alone.

French offers of help are nothing but empty words. They will continue to give shelter to the terrorists and turn a blind eye to their activities and their border crossings. They wouldn't dare do otherwise.

[mollynme]

The leader of an outlawed Basque party linked to the group denied the attack was the work of ETA.

Have they ever not taken credit for an attack in the past? More than ever, this is looking like AQ.

[philosofy123]

Chirac DOES understand the Moslem threat. The Moslem threats comes from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sudan, Afghanistan,......When we wanted to hit Afghanistan, he, and all Europe helped. Iraq, was not as important of a fanatic Islamic regime. of course Iraq, now is the center of the fanatic Moslems coming from "our"best friends; the Saudis, the Iranians, the Egyptians, the Yemenis, ....