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| Europe |
| Jihadists Want Spanish Government to Say Al-Qaida Bombed the Trains |
| 2004-03-14 |
| From Jihad Unspun [The] London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi Arabic newspaper received an earlier claim of responsibility in al-Qaida’s name, as did Jihad Unspun, but the Spanish government has been reluctant to blame the group, saying the Basque separatist group ETA was the prime suspect, even though they have denied responsbility. This is thought to be because 90% of Spain was against the war on Iraqm and if Al-Qaida is seen as being behind Thursdays attack, it would likely swing the vote away from the ruling party as sentiments amongst the population would erupt against their countries involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has been a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led war in Iraq and this latest attacks could spell real trouble for his party. ... There has now been three clear claims of responsibility from Al-Qaida and a complete denial of responsibility from ETA. It has also become obvious that the State is governing the Spanish media and that the government is trying to whitewash the repercussions of the country’s involvement in the killing fields of Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #12 mmm....munch, munch....crow pie ...yum,yum. Guess I don't understand the Spaniards. I don't know much about Franco's rise to power. I guess the Europeans believe in appeasement like we believe in freedom. |
| Posted by: B 2004-3-15 5:52:00 AM |
| #11 I don't think it's gonna make much difference which side wins the election. Spanish pride will force the government to hit back hard at whomever was behind the bombing. |
| Posted by: Norman Rogers 2004-3-14 8:38:17 PM |
| #10 I don't think it's gonna make much difference which side wins the election. Spanish pride will force the government to hit back hard at whomever was behind the bombing. |
| Posted by: Norman Rogers 2004-3-14 8:37:57 PM |
| #9 Nice take B. I swear, the image I get of muslims living in western cultures is of Shmeagol. "we loves the master" |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-3-14 4:07:30 PM |
| #8 Spain (and Europe, too) are at the inevideble crossroads: Will they address the Islamist problem now by standing and defeating it, or Will they start fighting among themselves and get Sharia and all its rights and privelages on the installment plan? People can say all they want about Aznar's support for the US in Iraq, but the show has come to Spain, ready or not. The price is high, very high so far, but having your country taken over by infiltration or a very bloody action later will make the 200 dead and 1400 injured pale by comparison. After all, France, Italy, and other countries are waiting in the wings to see how this one plays out in Spain. Folks, September 11, 2001 started the war against Islamofascism for the US. Bali did it for Indonesia. Madrid did it for Europe. Spain and Europe, the ball is in your court, and you cannot walk away from this game. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-3-14 3:52:34 PM |
| #7 Appeasement may work for Luxembourg, the "law enforcement" strategy didn't work so well for us. We are certainly a high value target, though. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-3-14 1:31:45 PM |
| #6 YOU HEARD IT FIRST HERE FOLKS HA! I just figured this out! Remember, the truth is that 2-8 million people showed up in a show of solidarity with Aznar leading the parade. The TV-radio press completely ignored it! And then they shamelessly gave major news coverage to a small protest of a couple thousand holding "PAZ" signs - upset with Aznar for supporting Bush and the WOT. Not bad, eh? In less than 48 hours, the press has pulled out all stops and effectively managed to spin the lie that the Spaniards support Aznar only if ETA did it - but are against Aznar for supporting and Bush and the WOT if AQ did it. Thus, we are to believe, according to the press coverage, the Aznar government's landslide will be due to the fact that the government covered up the facts. Ah...but my friends - this lie is not so much for the Spaniards - they KNOW why they marched 2 MILLION plus strong and why they voted for Aznar- this lie is for us. Yes, Aznar will win by a landslide - ahhh...but it is only because their government organized a COVERUP to fool the Spanish people! A COVERUP I tell ya! It's NOT, as a reasonable person would conclude, a show that the civilized countries are finally fed up with terrorists and understanding that Bush was right about the nature of this war. No...according to CNN, NPR, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox, BBC... Anzar's landside election will be due to a coverup by the evil Anzar government. I must say, I am impressed that they could manage to get this lie out there in less than 48 hours -and so successfully. Good Job Gobbels! VERY IMPRESSIVE!! |
| Posted by: B 2004-3-14 10:35:03 AM |
| #5 This is a side bar from a USA Today story. A glance at Sunday's general elections in Spain: WHAT'S AT STAKE: 879 candidates competing for 350 seats in parliament's lower house. The winning party or coalition forms next government for four-year term. In the Senate, 921 candidates are competing for 208 seats. THE RACE: 34.57 million eligible to vote. Field consists of 12 established parties, with the ruling conservative Popular Party going up against the Socialists, the main opposition. ISSUES: Terrorism was the leading issue even before 10 bombs tore through four trains, killing 200 in Madrid on Thursday. Other issues include high unemployment, soaring house prices and immigration. RESULTS: Polls open at 3 a.m. ET Sunday; close at 2 p.m. ET Sunday. First results expected by 4 p.m. ET Sunday. |
| Posted by: GK 2004-3-14 10:33:40 AM |
| #4 CNN has a Spanish election special at 22:00 GMT |
| Posted by: Phil B 2004-3-14 10:06:47 AM |
| #3 I hope you're right Phil... but I'm not as sure as you. As a matter of fact I think your wrong but hope I'm wrong. If they do vote out Aznar's party it's an amazing display of appeasement. For not only would they be falling to the demands of terrorists but they would be doing it at GREAT expense to themeselves. Aznar's party lowered unemployment in Spain from 22% to 11% in 8 years and raised incomes from 79% of the EU average to 89% of the EU average. They would give all this remarkable progress up and choose a socialist? Just because they are afraid to confront some terrorist who killed their children? Maybe you're right though, we should find out soon. Does anyone know when the initial election results are available in Spain? |
| Posted by: Damn_Proud_American 2004-3-14 9:59:43 AM |
| #2 Todays election in Spain will be a crucial test of whether western societies have the will to defeat the Jihadis. My prediction is they have and the Jihadis picked the wrong victims in the Spaniards. |
| Posted by: Phil B 2004-3-14 9:46:27 AM |
| #1 That's what the official press line is anyway. Aren't elections today - we'll see now, won't we? |
| Posted by: B 2004-3-14 9:42:14 AM |