PURPORTED AL QAEDA LETTER CALLS TRUCE IN SPAIN! (BLACKMAIL ALERT!)

Yahoooo via Reuters ^ | 3/17/04

[areafiftyone]

CAIRO (Reuters) - A group claiming to have links with al Qaeda said Wednesday it was calling a truce in its Spanish operations to see if the new government would withdraw its troops from Iraq (news - web sites), a pan-Arab newspaper said.

In a statement sent Wednesday to the Arabic language daily al-Hayat, the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, which claimed responsibility for the Madrid bombings that killed 201 people, also urged its European units to stop all operations.

"Because of this decision, the leadership has decided to stop all operations within the Spanish territories... until we know the intentions of the new government that has promised to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq," the statement said.

"And we repeat this to all the brigades present in European lands: Stop all operations."

In a shock election result just days after the Madrid attacks, Spain elected the Socialist party, which has since said it will probably withdraw its troops from Iraq.

The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades have previously claimed responsibility for bombings in Turkey and Iraq.

"The Spanish people... chose peace by choosing the party that was against the alliance with America," the statement said. The newspaper planned to publish it Thursday.

Outgoing Spanish Prime Minister Josa Maria Aznar was a staunch ally of the United States in the Iraq war, although a majority of the Spanish people were opposed to sending Spanish troops there.

"Praise be to God who gave us this victory in the conquest of Madrid... where one of the pillars of the axis of Crusader evil was destroyed," the statement said, affirming its earlier claim for the Madrid attacks.

A U.S. official in Washington has previously said the group's link with al Qaeda is unclear.

[Integrityrocks]

I really feel for the Spanish conservatives. That's why this whole liberal movement in America scares me so. It honestly could happen here. The only glimmer of hope that I see for us is that the liberals are pro-choice. So, working out the numbers.. they will abort themselves out of the genepool and those liberals that are still reproducing are raising baby killers, so the conservatives will be a major majority before we know it. Sad way to look at it, but it is the truth.

[Steve_Seattle]

"I somehow doubt Al Qaeda is actually so politically savvy."

They are very savvy, which is why I don't think this is a hoax. They will eventually resume terrorist activity in Spain, but not until they've milked this election for all its worth. You'll see letters-to-the-editor and even editorials in your daily papers from Democrats who will gladly serve as conduits for the al-Quaeda spin.

[Cap Huff]

Thanks for the ping. Sad situation.

I do hope you are right in your assessment of American attitudes. I am an American living in Europe, and FR is my principle link to American thought. I have no "man on the street" perspective when it comes to the U.S.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

It's too bad the new Spanish prime minister won't announce more troops for Iraq and a pledge to stay as long as needed just to stick it to the terrorists.

Do Spaniards have any cojones or any Churchill in theie veins?

[cajungirl]

I think everyone on this thread should remember, there is an opposition there, like us. To condemn the entire country, to demean its people is plain wrong. The people voted to do this but many many opposed it. We stand with them. They are not cowards or appeasers. They are where we could be if we are not very careful and determined!

[Rutles4Ever]

Let's put it this way. Al Qaeda almost poisoned the water supply in Rome last year. They were discovered before it could be perpetrated. Al Qaeda has a habit of "finishing the job", so I would be most concerned about Italy and the Vatican, in particular this summer

[swarthyguy]

Thanks for that reminder.

Excellent piece!

[Sacajaweau]

It sure is an explosive letter. It says: "Alqueda is now the ruler of Spain". Try and kick us out and we'll bomb you again.

Excepting that we're not ABSOLUTELY sure that the socialists would NOT have won in the elction. Al queda is getting tooooo much credit.

[Peach]

Evidentally not. History has a way of repeating itself, but the Spanish people do not understand. We are in a world war and until the world starts acting like it, they will be attacked.

What would the Italians do if AQ announced it had placed detonators and bombs around their major cities and the bombs would go off unless a certain appeasement party were elected to office? Cave in as well?

The British are with us as long as Tony Blair is in office, but other than the Brits and the Polish people, we could very easily find ourselves alone.

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

"It was about as close to a landslide as it gets in a parliamentary system. "

The socialist DID NOT win majority control of the parliament. 43% of the vote isn't exactly a landslide.

[cajungirl]

If they go for the Vatican, well, if that doesn't rock the world and change things, nothing will. Even protestants would be revolted by that. I worry that is what they will do.

[McGavin999]

"Praise be to God who gave us this victory in the conquest of Madrid...

Those little Spanish girls better get fitted for their burquas.

[mewzilla]

Well, if this is legit, AQ just rubbed Spain's collective nose in it.

[Dead Dog]

This is a "Madina" style Peace, only to be fallowed by a Mecca style war later.

[Enterprise]

You have an even better point. For the most part, as I can tell, the Spanish stayed out of the major conflicts. In essence, their liberty and safety have been secured by others. And for the moment, these things have been secured by national cowardice.

[Poser]

"Praise be to God who gave us this victory in the conquest of Madrid"

I'm sure the Spanish population will be proud of this.

[Sacajaweau]

I agree...about the time that the "smoke" comes out.

[Betaille]

"They will eventually resume terrorist activity in Spain, but not until they've milked this election for all its worth."
That's a pretty vague statement though... when exactly will they have milked the election for all its worth? I think if they can keep attacking europe they will... period.

[Semper Paratus]

Those little Spanish girls better get fitted for their burquas.

And the Spanish men will find a new use for their olive oil.

[Peach]

Actually, I don't think you are that far out on a limb.

What would happen if AQ announced it had placed bombs and detonators or remote detonators around major cities in Italy, France, Spain, etc., and would detonate those bombs unless those cities complied with some request?

I used to think I knew the answer to that sort of question. Today, I do not know anything for certain except that the United States would not permit itself to be blackmailed in such a way by AQ or anyone. The rest of the world, I'm not sure at all.

Too many Neville Chamberlain's out there. Our public schools at work; don't teach history...teach self esteem and touchy feely stuff that won't get anyone jobs and so we have a workforce that doesn't know how to find the bathroom alone and can't adjust to a changing world and jobs go overseas. Don't hold anyone to standards or dare to judge anyone and so corporations go to the lowest common denominator - the dollar - and America loses some more.

No, I didn't find your post tinfoil at all, unfortunately.