Spain says Arabic-language tape found in rail blast probe
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Police probing the Madrid terrorist attacks found a van with detonators and an Arabic-language tape with Koranic verses, and officials don't rule out any line of investigation, Interior Minister Angel Acebes said.
The van was found in the town of Alcala de Henares outside Madrid following a tip from neighbors. On the front seat police found seven detonators and the tape, Acebes told a news conference.
"Because of this, I have just given instructions to the security forces not to rule out any line of investigation," Acebes said.
He said the armed Basque group ETA remained the "main line of investigation" in the blasts that killed at least 190 people.
But with the van find "all kinds of lines investigation open up," Acebes said.
Three of the four trains bombed Thursday originated in Alcala de Henares and one passed through it, the state rail company RENFE said.
Arnoldo Otegi, leader of an outlawed Basque party linked to ETA, said earlier Thursday that he did not think ETA was behind the blasts, and he suggested "Arab resistance" elements were involved.
Spain backed the Iraq war.
In an audiotape released in the Arab world in October, a voice purported to be Osama bin Laden threatened nations that are helping the American occupation of Iraq.
"We reserve the right to respond at the appropriate time and place against all the countries participating in this unjust war, particularly Britain, Spain, Australia, Poland, Japan and Italy," the voice said.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press, All rights reserve
I think strategically we are just as well off if it ISN'T the "religion of peace."
Just like here in Israel, "Arab resistance" always makes the first strike.