Is Europe's 3/11 America's 9/11? (Must Read)

The Times of India ^ | THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2004 | RASHMEE Z. AHMED

[Betaille]

"If the Spanish say it was the ETA, then it was."
That still may be right... but there is an enormous amount of evidence that says otherwise.

[pittsburgh gop guy]

Spanish elections are Sunday. He should go over on Monday or Tuesday. Spain is a major ally in the WOT and has supported the US. A visit would be very symbollic of our friendship.

President Bush Condemns Terrorist Bombings in Spain
Remarks by the President on the Terrorist Bombings in Spain
The South Lawn

11:51 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Today I spoke to His Majesty the King of Spain -- Jose Maria Aznar, as well -- about our country's deepest sympathies toward those who lost their life as a result of terrorist bombings in Spain. I told him we weep with the families. We stand strongly with the people of Spain. I appreciate so very much the Spanish government's fight against terror, their resolute stand against terrorist organizations like the ETA. The United States stands with them. Today we ask God's blessings on those who suffer in the -- in the great country of Spain.

Thank you.

END 11:52 A.M. EST

[olde north church]

The legacy of Islamic occupation of Spain would give linkage for al-Qaeda.
Of course it's related. I think it also shows a sort of hesitance to attack France. Especially after the headscarf ban.
I was making the same connections as the author of this article. I think I have found my way back home!

[the OlLine Rebel]

I don't know anything about the Basque situation, and not much more about other terrorist operatives, but....

Are the Basque contingent generally "kamikaze"?

Did they find any dead *perpetrators* at the bomb scenes?

Seems to me Moslems generally like to do suicide along w/the homicide, so I'm wondering about that facet.

[electroclash]

See what happens when you don't ratify the Kyoto Treaty? These Basque Terrorists are just poor people that can't find the right outlet for political expression.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Sounds like the Prez thinks it's ETA, too.

[BlueNgold]

Gee, Al Qaeda NEVER attacks transportation and/or infrastructure, so it couldn't be them ...

[/sarcasm]

[the OlLine Rebel]

I'm not sure I understand, if it was Islamonuts, why Spain? I know they have been pretty lock-step w/us, but they're frankly, sort of down on the list of major powers - and it always seems they're interested in striking it big against a biggie. I would think Britain would be the focus outside the US.

[the OlLine Rebel]

You are so rite. You know the cries and whining will go out about how it's all our fault cuz we insisted on "begetting violence w/violence". The question should then be, how much *more* violence would there have been w/o our retribution?

[TBall]

Someone on another thread pointed out that it has been 911 days since 911. Actually, I think it is 912 if you factor in the leap year but still wired.

[carton253]

I just came back from lunch - word on Fox is that it was the ETA.

[nickcarraway]

But security measure might have made it impossible for them to attack those targets. They may decide to settle for what they can.

[kevkrom]

Yeah, it could be ETA, but I doubt they would be denying it if it was. That ain't their M.O.

Perhaps they're trying a new tactic -- fake an Arab terrorism attack supposedly in response for Spain's stand with the US in order to weaken support for the current government immediately before the election -- leading to a new government that might be more in a mind for appeasment to terrorists (both al-Queda and ETA).

[katana]

If you've followed ETA's activities, which go all the way back to the Franco era, this type of coordinated attack on civilians intended to cause the maximum amount of casualties isn't their style. Further, they would know that the reaction from the Spanish government and people will be overwhelming. Nope, this reeks of a muslim terror action and, with Morrocco and the rest of North Africa just a stone's throw from Gibraltar, there are plenty of available recruits to have carried it out.

[hoyaloya]

People. Come on. The world doesn't just move to the rythms of the U.S. and our problems.

Having lived in Madrid for 7 years, ETA exists and kills people. To suggest there is no evidence against ETA here, is, well, stupid and yes, I hate to say it but ignorant. Now I don't know if they did it but neither do any of you.

You are in wishful thinking mode because you, and several other posters here, WANT to think its al qaeda. We all lose credibility when you instantly assume you understand the problems of a country like Spain through your political need of the day. For 7 years in the 70s and 80s I walked past guardia civil troopers with submachines on the streets because of ETA.

If they refuse to investigate and just incriminate ETA, that's ridiculous. They won't be doing that though. With this many people dead, they don't care who the perpetrators are, they just want them punished.

[alnitak]

Britain has been directly targeted, one of the recent Istanbul bombings was directed against the British Embassy, killed the Ambassador I believe. We also lost a lot of people in Bali.

[bondjamesbond]

Let's pile on some more praise.

In the Indian lexicon, fabulous and fantastic do not have positive or negative connotations. "Fabulous" should be read as "extraordinary", and "fantastic" should be read as "unbelievable".

This different usage can cause some confusion.

[nickcarraway]

But security measure might have made it impossible for them to attack those targets. They may decide to settle for what they can.

[Mamzelle]

It is the eleventh--oh, my--

[Diddle E. Squat]

What do you think about the possibility of elements of Al Q and ETA having perhaps worked together on this attack? Ties to the mysterious AZF group that tried to blackmail the French gov't with threats of railway bombings a few months ago?