Madrid attacks unsettle Arab press

BBC News ^ | 3-13-04

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Thursday's bomb attacks in Madrid are roundly condemned in many Arabic language papers in the Middle East.

But several editorial writers are concerned at what they see as an attempt to pin the blame on Arab terrorism before any hard evidence emerges about the identity of the perpetrators.

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The series of attacks on Spain two days ago is truly another crime committed against humanity and the innocent... Regardless of whoever is behind the brutal attacks... they must be condemned.

Saudi Arabia Al-Watan

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Are we back in the Stone Age? Is this the law of the jungle, where ferocious wolves attack without mercy?... An act to destroy life is an act of terrorism with neither nationality nor religion.

Commentary by Ahmad al-Rabi'i - London Al-Sharq al-Awsat

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What draws our attention is the fact that those who are supporting the Eta separatist movement rushed to conclude that the 'Arab opposition' was responsible for the terrorist act in Spain. This is a clear attempt to brand Arabs with terrorism.

Jordan's Al-Ra'y

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It is illogical to accuse al-Qaeda before getting accurate information... The Spanish government was aware of this and moved fast to blame Eta before anyone else. Perhaps al-Qaeda was only used to deceive Spanish and world public opinion.

Saudi Arabia Al-Riyadh

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It is very regrettable that some analysts and leaders rushed to link this terrorist act with so-called "Muslim terrorists" without verifying the truth of this insane statement [claim of responsibility by Abu-Hafs al-Masri brigades]... This insane statement has soiled the name of Islam... Islam is innocent of these bombings.

Jordan's Al-Dustur

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A mass demonstration was staged in the streets of Madrid in protest against these attacks. However, it reflected the resentment against the Spanish government's policy in supporting the war on Iraq... It is hoped that the Madrid bombings will open the eyes of the coalition, led by the US... so that it can look into its mistakes and find a way to rectify them.

London Al-Quds Al-Arabi

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Arabs and Muslims cannot commit such an act. We therefore condemn the act and hope that the Spanish government will be able to find out the truth.

London Al-Arab al-Alamiyah

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Terrorist acts everywhere, the latest being two days ago in Spain, prove that containment, not confrontation, will stop bloodshed in this world... the crazy policies being applied in many places worldwide bring more losses, destruction and disaster.

Saudi Arabia Ukaz

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The brutal crime in Madrid two days ago confirms that terrorism is still unstoppable in cities everywhere... there are signs that this phenomenon, which has shed blood since the beginning of the third millennium, cannot be fully controlled in the future.

UAE's Al-Ittihad

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Whether the bombings were carried out by Eta or al-Qaeda, the reality is that terrorism today is a deadly threat to all human beings... What is needed is prompt action by the UN to set up an international conference to combat terrorism, as well as drafting clauses for an international and comprehensive agreement to combat it.

Egypt's Al-Ahram

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.

[FormerACLUmember]

"so-called muslim terrorists"

The religion of peace speaks.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Are we back in the Stone Age?

Nope! Just the dark ages.

America will bring the "age of enlightenment" into every cave and village hiding place that evil inhabits.

[AmericaUnited]

What is needed is prompt action by the UN to set up an international conference to combat terrorism, as well as drafting clauses for an international and comprehensive agreement to combat it.

They did that with Iraq moron and 14 useless, unacted on resolutions were passed. Zip, zero, nada happened until the US stepped in.

[tkathy]

This could be a golden opportunity for Bush to speak aggressively and assertively to Muslims worldwide, and tell them that the WOT is a window of opportunity for them to rescue their future from the forces of nihilism. He must not appear to be weak or the sharks on the left will circle in for the kill.

[DoctorMichael]

Bttt

[ChadGore]

"Islam is innocent of these bombings"

. . . it isn't just a river in egypt

[Eurotwit]

Interesting piece.

My conclusion: They are all nuts.

[TomGuy]

This morning, FoxNews reporter in Madrid played an audio take of a lady making a cell-phone call from the train during the bombings.

It was eerie. She was almost screaming into the phone (apparently one bomb had already gone off) and then another explosion close by is heard, then static.

It reminds me of some of the audios that were recorded from people inside the WTC and on the airplanes on 9-11.

It was both saddening and enraging.

I hope the Spanish find a way to 'take it' to the terrorists and I'm sure the US will be very supportive.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Arabs and Muslims cannot commit such an act.

What galaxy is this guy from?

[conservativecorner]

The religion of peace strikes again, and all the arab editorial writers are too stupid to recognize it. I'm sure the german editorial writers during Hitlers early years defended him while he set his course for the destruction of the jews.

[TomGuy]

This is a clear attempt to brand Arabs with terrorism.

Jordan's Al-Ra'y

Well, it surely wasn't Chief Moose's two white guys in a white van, was it?

[pointsal]

ping

[TomGuy]

This insane statement has soiled the name of Islam... Islam is innocent of these bombings.

Jordan's Al-Dustur

We have a saying in the good ole US of A: If the shoe fits......

[cripplecreek]

"The brutal crime in Madrid two days ago confirms that terrorism is still unstoppable in cities everywhere... there are signs that this phenomenon, which has shed blood since the beginning of the third millennium, cannot be fully controlled in the future.

UAE's Al-Ittihad"



We havent played cowboys and muslims yet big fella.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Let's hear what the imams have to say on Friday prayers.

[TomGuy]

A mass demonstration was staged in the streets of Madrid in protest against these attacks. However, it reflected the resentment against the Spanish government's policy in supporting the war on Iraq... It is hoped that the Madrid bombings will open the eyes of the coalition, led by the US... so that it can look into its mistakes and find a way to rectify them.

London Al-Quds Al-Arabi

Wow, the libs, Hillary, Kerry, et al, couldn't have spun any better than that line.

[conservativecorner]

Stratfor reports that the evidence gathered in Madrid points away from ETA. The first two paragraphs of the Stratfor report are worth quoting in full:

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar continued to insist March 12 that ETA is to blame for the most devastating attacks in his country's history. However, Spanish explosives experts examined an unexploded bomb found inside a backpack late March 11 and concluded the device was not manufactured by ETA bombers.

Within hours of the attack, European and Russian diplomatic and security sources told Stratfor that Islamist militants were the likeliest suspects. Those suspicions now have hardened. A highly placed U.S. source told Stratfor on March 12 that U.S. intelligence believes the attacks were carried out either by groups associated with al Qaeda or by al Qaeda sympathizers. The source confirmed that U.S. intelligence agencies are actively helping the Spanish government search for the guilty party.