Spain Vows to Catch Bombers; Death Toll Rises to 198 - LET THE U.N.

NewsMax/AP ^ | 3/12/04

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Spain pledged Friday to find those responsible for train bombings that killed at least 198 people. Businesses emptied nationwide for several minutes as Spaniards observed a period of silence to honor the victims of the country's worst terror attack.

Spanish officials initially blamed Basque separatists for Thursday's stunningly well-coordinated string of 10 explosions on packed commuter trains, but they also were studying a claim of blame by a shadowy group in the name of al-Qaida.

Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said no suspects had been ruled out.

"We will bring the guilty to justice," Aznar said at a news conference. "No line of investigation is going to be ruled out."

At noon, Spaniards across the nation observed several minutes of silence. Offices, shops and cafes across Spain emptied as people went to stand in the street and remember those killed.

Authorities had requested a minute's silence but many people in Madrid stood in the cool, wet weather for about 10 minutes. Afterward, many clapped, a Spanish way to show respect and say goodbye.

Underscoring jittery nerves in the capital, police hastily evacuated Atocha station, one of those bombed Thursday, because of a bomb scare that turned out to be a false alarm.

The government has called nationwide rallies for Friday evening, with European leaders, including prime ministers from France and Italy, expected to attend along with millions of Spaniards.

The death toll rose overnight from 192 to 198, deputy Justice Minister Rafael Alcala said, adding that 84 bodies remain unidentified. More than 1,400 people were wounded.

Aznar said 14 foreigners were among the dead, including three Peruvians, two Hondurans, two Poles, and a person each from France, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Colombia, Morocco and Guinea-Bissau.

Asian stock markets closed mostly lower and European shares were down in early trading Friday on renewed fears of terrorism after the explosions.

[The Great RJ]

Why are the Islamic terrorists targeting Spain??? One can't blame Bush or US interference in world affairs for this attack. The answer is simple..all of western civilization is the target. These militants aren't seeking political power, they want to end western civilization and replace it with an Islamic theocracy. Ultimate victory for them would be a world that looks like Iran.

Wake up people, the Islamic militants are no different than the Nazis and have world domination as their goal. We are at war..a war for the very survival of our civilization.

[Gefreiter]

It has to do with Islamists' sense of history.

Muslim warriors conquered North Africa, Spain, and significant amount of France before being stopped in the 8th century by Charles "The Hammer" Martel.

Subsequent centuries saw the influence of Islam wane dramatically in Iberia, ultimately resulting in the expulsion of the last muslims- and jews, for that matter- from Spain ca 1492.

As far as the Islamists are concerned, Spain is rightfully muslim land, conquered fair and square ~1300 years ago.

[Glenn]

Why are the Islamic terrorists targeting Spain???

This was a political bombing -- not a religious bombing. That's my take on it, anyway.

But I was wrong on OK City and I just might be wrong on this one as well.

[kimoajax]

Spain should immediately seek out John Kerry's advise on this matter. It is a legal matter and should not be dealt with unilaterally. So, Spain should look to the World Court and the UN.

[Monty22]

You're wrong here too.

[Monty22]

You're wrong here too.

[Glenn]

You're wrong here too.

Let's hear your argument.

[Monty22]

It's religous, look at the koranic text they found and other clues. However, since islam is also a politically idealogy, in a way you are correct.

[vp_cal]

because they supported us in the gulf war.
also spain was once a muslim country before
it got deloused

[Ebenezer]

Even if, technically, ETA was not responsible, we have to acknowledge that all terrorist groups throughout the world are connected in one way or another and sympathize with each other. Remember that the spokesman for ETA's political wing used the bland term "resistance" instead of "terrorists" when describing a possible involvement by an Arab group in the Madrid attacks. (Come to think of it, our country's media uses the euphemism "Islamic militants".)

Anyway, terrorists are terrorists, and all of them deserve the same harsh punishment, regardless of where they come from and what cause they champion.

[CJ Wolf]

Terrorist are Terrorist.

http://www.ncmonline.com/content/ncm/2001/oct/1001spain.html

[Dog Anchor]

The answer is simple..all of western civilization is the target...



Precisely...Thank You.

[Ebenezer]

Ah, Charles Martel! Now that was a time when the French had some moxie! Likewise, if there was a time when Spain needed El Cid, this is it!

[null and void]

Spain should immediately seek out John Kerry's advise on this matter. It is a legal matter and should not be dealt with unilaterally. So, Spain should look to the World Court and the UN.

See the nifty tag line I stole...

[Gefreiter]

Amen. Although in that time before there were Frenchmen and Germans in the modern sense, whether he was "French" or not I couldn't say.

I never read "El Cid" but have a copy floating around somewhere. Maybe now's a good time. You might also dig the following:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03629a.htm

And:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/roland-ohag.html

[KC_for_Freedom]

Why are the Islamic terrorists targeting Spain???

I find it interesting that the French were threatened with ten bombs on the railroads, just what the Spanish received. Perhaps it was a fake with one hand and attack with the other. This way the message is not lost on the French, who may have been on higher alert and the Spanish, who were allies with us and as has been mentioned are on the receiving end of a long set of grivances with Islam.

[Ciexyz]

Interesting links to early medieval French history concerning the Christian fight to keep the Muslims from invading France. (Post # 16)