TERRORISM: With New Evidence, Spanish Officials blame ETA for Madrid Bombing; Not Al-Qaeda

Spanish Officials are putting the blame of the horrific train attacks on 3/11 squarely on the shoulders of ETA, not Al-Qaeda. They say they are more convinced that the Basque separtist group ETA is responsible for the attacks. Their evidence seems to be the type and usage of the explosions found at the scene. The explosives chemically match the explosives siezed from an ETA van headed to Madrid in February. However many Spaniards are still doubtful of the Gov't insistence of blaming ETA.

Investigators see ETA, not al-Qaida, behind Madrid blasts
"This explosion had a very similar modus operandi used by the terrorist group ETA," he said.
A caller claiming to represent ETA denied that the group had been involved in the attack. Journalists here said ETA never had rejected responsibility for an attack before.
Many Spaniards, particularly those who support the Socialist Party in Sunday's elections, suggested that Aznar's government might not be willing to disclose an al-Qaida link until after the vote, for fear of hurting the chances of Aznar's Populist Party holding on to power.
"Of course we will continue to investigate any and all information we get on who may be responsible," he said. "But at this point there is mounting evidence that this was not the work of al-Qaida."
Related ATSNN Articles:
Terrorist Rail Bombings in Madrid, Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility, Threatens US Attacks



[Edited on 3-12-2004 by worldwatcher]

i wouldn't be surprised if it were ETA. though they have been denying it, while an al-Qaeda group sent a messages claiming responsibility to london. so who really knows? maybe the ETA is just trying to put it off on al-Qaeda. of course, that wouldn't really make any sense.

just reporting the news here, i think this will become the spanish 3/11 conspiracy. and as I said somewhere before I won't believe it is Al-Qaeda till Bin Laden or Al-Zawahiri acknowledges it.

Interestingly enough, as indicated in a variety of news sources, it appears that Spanish officials are divided on just "who" staged the attack.

I think this is something that needs to be watched and it is certainly an issue that will revolve as the situation and event is further investigated.


regards
seekerof

I admit it seems that today I know more about the middle east than europe I wonder if the elections in Spain have anything to do with this division. Does the Basque (sp) group have any political representation? If they do blaming the ETA which is tied to them could maybe have some effect on the results of elections?

Now it sounds like I am looking for remote controlled devices tha fly planes but still, seems the Spanish government would have more to gain politically if ETA is blamed.