Spain Blasts kill 186, injure 600 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Ripsaw · 03-11-2004, 07:31 AM

Quote:

MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A series of co-ordinated bomb attacks on Madrid's commuter train system killed at least 186 people and wounded over 1,000 at the height of the city's rush hour, Spanish authorities tell CNN.

Spanish officials are blaming terrorists from the Basque separatist group ETA for the attack, but so far, there has been no claim of responsibility.

In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar took a firm stand against terror and terrorists, saying "there is no possible negotiation with these killers."

The Spanish Ambassador to the U.S., Javier Ruperez, said the incident was "in a way" Spain's September 11, referring to the terror attacks in the U.S. in 2001.

An official from Spain's northern Basque region called it the worst terrorist attack in Spanish history.

ETA, which has been designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, is blamed for and has claimed responsibility for attacks that have killed 800 people over the years.

U.S. President George W. Bush called Aznar Thursday morning to express "solidarity with the people of Spain at this difficult moment," a National Security Council spokesman said.

The attacks took place at the height of Thursday's rush hour when three separate trains were hit by near-simultaneous explosions before 8 a.m. (2 a.m. ET) along the southern part of Madrid's train network, officials said.

Interior Minister Angel Acebes said there were a total of 10 explosions at the Santa Eugenia, El Pozo and Atocha stations, and three other bombs found and detonated by police.

The most deadly blast happened on a train entering Madrid's main Atocha station, according to Acebes.

Security forces found other bombs, and detonated them in controlled explosions, he added.

Survivors described scenes of chaos and panic in the Spanish capital.

"The worst was people screaming for help inside the train and there was nothing we could do," one survivor told CNN's Spanish sister network, CNN+.

People in tears walked away from the city's main Atocha station in droves as rescue workers carried bodies away from the scene.

Many people with bloodied faces sat on curbs, using mobile phones to tell loved ones they were alive.

The attack comes ahead of Sunday's general election in which Spain's conservative ruling Popular Party -- which has taken a hard-line stance against ETA -- is currently leading in the polls.

Demonstrators hold up their hands, calling for an end to violence, at a gathering in Seville.
After the blasts, all political parties announced they were suspending campaign rallies ahead of Sunday's election, but there has been no word that elections would be suspended.

The government called for a three-day period of mourning and impromptu anti-ETA demonstrations have broken out in Madrid and other Spanish cities.

Spanish police -- who have foiled several recent bombing attempts by ETA -- were on high alert for terror attacks by the separatist group ahead of Sunday's vote.

Video of the scene showed the train at Atocha broken into pieces by the force of the explosions.

Medical staff set up a field hospital to treat the wounded at the scene, and buses were mobilized to help ambulances transport the wounded to hospitals.

Shortly after the blasts, Basque leader Juan Jose Ibarretxe held a news conference from the Basque capital of Vitoria, condemning the violence and calling for demonstrations against ETA.

Basque member of Parliament Gustavo Aristegui -- who was in Madrid at the time of the attack -- also blamed ETA for the attack.

"This is probably Spain's worst terrorist attack in history -- not probably, surely our worst terrorist attack ever," Aristegui told CNN. "There are people that are real monsters that are trying to blackmail the whole society through acts of terror."

In an interview on Radio Popular in the Basque country, Arnaldo Otegi, leader of banned radical political party Batasuna, said he did not believe ETA was responsible for the attacks.

The attacks, he said, could have been "an operation by sectors of the Arab resistance."

But Acebes said Otegi was simply trying to confuse the situation.

ETA has been fighting for an independent homeland in northern Spain. The attacks drew an immediate condemnation throughout Europe.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called it "a disgusting assault on the very principle of European democracy."

Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio placed the blame squarely on ETA, saying "we knew they are preparing a very big terror attack."

"ETA has a very clear pattern in its activities and we unfortunately have a long experience in dealing with them," she said. (More reaction)

On February 29, Spanish police seized more than 1,000 pounds of explosives and arrested two suspected ETA members who were planning to carry out an imminent attack in Madrid, an official said. (Full story)

CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman contributed to this report.

...

tim2shady · 03-11-2004, 08:12 AM

don't know much about ETA, but whoever did this should blow themselves up!!!

jwoody · 03-11-2004, 08:29 AM

Ripsaw · 03-11-2004, 08:40 AM

Visceral emotions. Very difficult to describe.

Those who strike out at civilians to deliver a message drive home the point that they are not to be bargained with, not to be trusted, and that they should be hunted, hounded, and rendered unable to harm anyone ever again. They are no longer eligible for parlay, or mercy, or even pity. They are much, much less than human.

manalone · 03-11-2004, 08:42 AM

Tragedy. ETA are a terrorist group. A group of murderers who want to wrest a part of Spain from that country to form an independent Basque state.

RoboBlaster · 03-11-2004, 11:05 AM

God, what a terrible event. My heart goes out.

Cynthetiq · 03-11-2004, 11:25 AM

horrible.

my wife and I were just talking last night about planning a vacation there in the upcoming months...

bookerV · 03-11-2004, 11:44 AM

I dont understand people that would lash out at unsuspecting civilians. It just isnt right at all. These are just normal people going about their usual routine. Could be anyone just taking the train to work and their life has to be snuffed out by someone because they dont get what they want...

I really feel for everyone involved in this situation. Hopefully these people dont harm innocent people like this ever again.

Mephisto2 · 03-11-2004, 01:18 PM

It might be ETA and it might be Muslim extremists.

The security forces have found tapes with verses from the Koran in one of the vans used by the bombers, if the latest news reports are to be believed.

Either way, they're scum.

Mr Mephisto

RoboBlaster · 03-11-2004, 01:25 PM

Looks like this is the work of Al Qaeda.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...9&section=news

Cynthetiq · 03-11-2004, 01:29 PM

for the link challenged...

Quote:

Purported Qaeda Letter Claims Spain Bombings-Paper
Thu Mar 11, 2004 03:31 PM ET

DUBAI (Reuters) - A letter purporting to come from Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network claimed responsibility for the train bombings in Spain on Thursday, calling them strikes against "crusaders," a London-based Arabic newspaper said.
"We have succeeded in infiltrating the heart of crusader Europe and struck one of the bases of the crusader alliance," said the letter which called the attacks "Operation Death Trains." There was no way of authenticating the letter, a copy of which was faxed to Reuters' office in Dubai by the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper.

The letter bore the signature "Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades." The newspaper received similar letters from the same brigade claiming responsibility on behalf of al Qaeda for a November bombing of two synagogues in Turkey and the August bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.

water_boy1999 · 03-11-2004, 01:30 PM

This saddens me. Of all the countries you would think wouldn't get bombed, Spain has to be up there on the list. It makes me sick to continue to see terrorists try to bargain with the lives of innocent people. I wish everything bad on the people....no, not people...monsters, who campaign their beliefs by use of terror. I wish I could find myself, someday, face to face with one of these guys/girls.

Redlemon · 03-11-2004, 01:46 PM

Is there a victims/injured list yet? I'm worried about a friend on vacation...

Jasmar · 03-11-2004, 02:42 PM

I figured it wasn't ETA. ETA may not be the nicest guys around but they dont kill mass amounts of civilains on purpose

Cynthetiq · 03-11-2004, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jasmar
I figured it wasn't ETA. ETA may not be the nicest guys around but they dont kill mass amounts of civilains on purpose

ummm.... according to MSNBC

The group has killed nearly 850 people since 1968, typically using car bombs or shootings. The number of ETA killings had been falling, from 23 in 2000 to three in 2003.

Quote:

Fact File About the ETA

Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA) is fighting for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwestern France.

The group has killed nearly 850 people since 1968, typically using car bombs or shootings. The number of ETA killings had been falling, from 23 in 2000 to three in 2003.

Spain, the United States and the European Union have listed ETA as a terrorist organization. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who survived an ETA attack while he was opposition leader in 1995, made eliminating the group a top priority.

In 2002 the Spanish government banned the Basque political party Batasuna, which it described as ETA’s political wing. The party denied the charge. Batasuna won 10 percent of the vote in Basque parliamentary elections in May 2001.

ETA has been under pressure in recent years with 179 suspected members detained during 2003 and a total of 650 suspects arrested since 2000, mostly in Spain and France.

Ripsaw · 03-11-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by water_boy1999
This saddens me. Of all the countries you would think wouldn't get bombed, Spain has to be up there on the list.

Out of curiosity, what makes you think that?

Quote:

Originally posted by water_boy1999
I wish I could find myself, someday, face to face with one of these guys/girls.

I hope that you are stronger, faster, smarter, and as inclined to kill without a second thought, if this were to come to pass.

Jasmar · 03-11-2004, 02:54 PM

ok... thats about 12 people a year typically. ETA tends to go after spanish police Guardias sevilles(prolly spelled that wrong) and politicians. Like i said they tend not to kill mass amounts of civilans

Shady · 03-11-2004, 03:02 PM

what goes through these people's minds? what makes them think its ok to just take innocent lives? it baffles me how unloving the world has become.

Mephisto2 · 03-11-2004, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jasmar
ok... thats about 12 people a year typically. ETA tends to go after spanish police Guardias sevilles(prolly spelled that wrong) and politicians. Like i said they tend not to kill mass amounts of civilans

Actually, you're wrong.

The regularly plant bombs in civilian areas that explode killing scores of civilians.

In 1897, for example, they planted bombs in a shopping centre that massacred 27 men, women and children.

Really nice guys, those ETA folks...

Mr Mephisto

Jasmar · 03-11-2004, 03:16 PM

I agree there not good guys im not defending them. Ill assume you mean 1997=) and yeah that is true(the shopping center) but a good amount of the time they call in before setting off the bombs to give people a chance to evacuate. And this is considerably larger scale then anything they've done in the past and being considerably down on members i wouldn't expect their attacks to be getting bigger. And im pretty sure al quieda already said they were responsible

Mephisto2 · 03-11-2004, 03:30 PM

Make you own conclusions...

March 11, 2004: At least 182 people killed and more than 900 injured in 10 explosions on commuter trains in Madrid. ETA alledgedly responsible (still undetermined)

July 13, 1997: Miguel Angel Blanco, councilman in the small Basque town of Ermua, dies in a hospital after being shot by his ETA kidnappers and left dying in a ditch following government's refusal to discuss better conditions for jailed ETA members. Slaying triggered massive demonstrations throughout Spain.

Feb. 14, 1996: Francisco Tomas y Valiente, former president of Spain's Constitutional Court, shot three times in the head at his office at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he taught law. Slaying triggered demonstrations throughout Spain.

Dec. 11, 1995: Six civilian workers traveling in military van killed in car-bomb attack in Madrid's Vallecas suburb.

April 19, 1995: Then-opposition party leader Jose Maria Aznar (now prime minister) survives Madrid car-bomb attack on his official car.

June 21, 1993: Six military personnel and one Defense Ministry worker killed in car-bomb attack in Madrid.

Feb.2, 1992: Five people, three soldiers and two workers, killed in car-bomb attack in Madrid's Cruz Verde square.

Dec. 11, 1991: 10 people, including four children, killed in car-bomb attack on Civil Guard barracks in Vic, northeastern Spain.

Dec. 11, 1987: 11 people, including five children, killed in car-bomb attack on Civil Guard police live-in barracks in Zaragoza, northeastern Spain.

June 19, 1987: 21 civilians killed in car bomb attack at supermarket parking lot in Barcelona.

July 14 1986: 12 Civil Guard police officers killed in car-bomb attack at Madrid's Dominican Republic's square.

April 25, 1986: Five Civil Guard officers killed in Madrid car bomb attack.

Sept. 13, 1974: 12 killed in bomb attack on Madrid cafe.

Dec. 20 1973: Luis Carrero Blanco, prime minister appointed toward the end of Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship, killed in car-bomb attack in central Madrid.

The above list is NOT comprehensive.

I'm not saying ETA are responsible, but I hate to see people say things like "they tend not to kill mass amounts of people." What do you call bombing shopping centres?

I've lived in a country that has experienced terrorism for 30 years. It's not pleasant.

Mr Mephisto

Eugeni · 03-11-2004, 05:34 PM

I live in Barcelona, second biggest city in Spain. When I knew about it, I felt like crying.

Nobody knows who has been. I am looking forward to know. But ETA has always warned beforhand about the attacks.

For your information, Spain holds general elections on Sunday.

User Name · 03-11-2004, 06:54 PM

Apparently, this isn't the ETA, but what's the deal with them? I know the Basque homeland was oppressed during Franco's regime, but now it has relative autonomy.(Source here) It's not like Spain or France are building security fences around the Basque land, or rolling in with tanks to crush "insurgents". Furthermore, only about 1/4 of Basques speak the language (but are usually bilingual), and the rest speak Spanish or French exclusively, and are Roman Catholics, just like their ethnic Spanish and French neighbors. I just don't see why they crave independence so much. Anyone care to enlighten me, especially anyone from Spain?

Mephisto2 · 03-11-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by User Name
Apparently, this isn't the ETA, but what's the deal with them? I know the Basque homeland was oppressed during Franco's regime, but now it has relative autonomy.(Source here) It's not like Spain or France are building security fences around the Basque land, or rolling in with tanks to crush "insurgents". Furthermore, only about 1/4 of Basques speak the language (but are usually bilingual), and the rest speak Spanish or French exclusively, and are Roman Catholics, just like their ethnic Spanish and French neighbors. I just don't see why they crave independence so much. Anyone care to enlighten me, especially anyone from Spain?

The same way the "extremists" in Northern Ireland place bombs in their "struggle" for independence from the UK.

In the Basque country, they do have a distinct culture that is different from the rest of Spain. That's more than can be said for the madmen in Northern Ireland though (on both sides of the divide).

Mr Mephisto

Mephisto2 · 03-11-2004, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eugeni
I live in Barcelona, second biggest in Spain. When I knew about it. I felt like crying.

Nobody knows who has been. I am looking forward to know. But ETA has always warned beforhand about the attacks.

For your information, Spain holds general elections on Sunday.

ETA did "warn" that they were going to carry out major attacks in the rest of mainland Spain a few weeks ago. And they have exploded bombs in public areas without warning before.

The Security Forces already caught two ETA guys trying to bring a van bomb into Madrid very recently, and in Dec (or Nov) apparently foiled an attempt to place bombs on trains. Sounds suspicious to me.

HOWEVER, it may well turn out to be muslim extremists. Time will tell.

Mr Mephisto

clavus · 03-11-2004, 10:01 PM

Regardless of who did it and why - my heart is with the people of Spain. Say what you will about aloof Americans, but I am deeply saddened and angry.

Eugeni · 03-12-2004, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Mephisto

The Security Forces already caught two ETA guys trying to bring a van bomb into Madrid very recently, and in Dec (or Nov) apparently foiled an attempt to place bombs on trains. Sounds suspicious to me.

You are right. And the fact that spain holds elections in two days is also suspicious but why should they deny doing it? Terrorist claim their authority after an attack. Don't they?

Yea time will tell. I hope.

Jasmar · 03-12-2004, 12:58 PM

Yeah i remember a few weeks ago I heard about police stopping a van full of stolen tnt. All i can say is im glad no one i know was killed or has been killed in attacks. Most of my family is in spain

sailor · 03-12-2004, 05:35 PM

03-12-2004, 11:20 PM

A strange, mysterious linkage between this and 9/11:

The Madrid bombing was on 3/11

Total up the number of days between 9/11 & 3/11= 911

WarWagon · 03-12-2004, 11:28 PM

They did not account for the leap year, but apparently Al Quaeda is claiming responsibility.

Report Here

bermuDa · 03-13-2004, 03:58 PM

again, for the link-challenged:

Quote:

DUBAI (Reuters) - A letter purporting to come from Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network claimed responsibility for the train bombings in Spain on Thursday, calling them strikes against "crusaders," a London-based Arabic newspaper said.

"We have succeeded in infiltrating the heart of crusader Europe and struck one of the bases of the crusader alliance," said the letter which called the attacks "Operation Death Trains." There was no way of authenticating the letter, a copy of which was faxed to Reuters' office in Dubai by the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper.

The letter bore the signature "Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades." The newspaper received similar letters from the same brigade claiming responsibility on behalf of al Qaeda for a November bombing of two synagogues in Turkey and the August bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.

I'm... in agreement with ripsaw. This is tragic, and those responsible have forfeited their humanity.

G0dd3ss · 03-13-2004, 08:30 PM

I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that's happend in Spain. In some way...I feel like it was somewhat our county getting them into this and I hope they don't look poorly upon us now.

But when I read the statement, if you want to call it that, that Bush gave regarding the attack...I wouldn't be surprised if once again the whole world is looking at us like we're a bunch of selfish assholes.

Quote:

THE PRESIDENT: Today I spoke to His Majesty the King of Spain -- Jose Maria Aznar, as well -- about our country's deepest sympathies toward those who lost their life as a result of terrorist bombings in Spain. I told him we weep with the families. We stand strongly with the people of Spain. I appreciate so very much the Spanish government's fight against terror, their resolute stand against terrorist organizations like the ETA. The United States stands with them. Today we ask God's blessings on those who suffer in the -- in the great country of Spain.

This "statement" took him only one minute...one freaking minute to express sympathy to one of the two countries in the world who are backing us in this "War on Terror". Those same people who broadcast moments of silence across the world to grieve for our beaten down country on one of the worst days in it's history.

I think that the people of the United States (represented by their "leader") owe the people of Spain more than a one minute statement from our G.W.

My deepest sympathies go out to the people in Spain, especially to the families of the victims and wounded.

03-11-2004, 08:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
tim2shady Tilted Location: Chicago, IL	don't know much about ETA, but whoever did this should blow themselves up!!! __________________ mean people suck.....period.

03-11-2004, 08:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	Visceral emotions. Very difficult to describe. Those who strike out at civilians to deliver a message drive home the point that they are not to be bargained with, not to be trusted, and that they should be hunted, hounded, and rendered unable to harm anyone ever again. They are no longer eligible for parlay, or mercy, or even pity. They are much, much less than human. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

03-11-2004, 08:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
manalone Once upon a time...	Tragedy. ETA are a terrorist group. A group of murderers who want to wrest a part of Spain from that country to form an independent Basque state. __________________ -- Man Alone ======= Abstainer: a weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure. Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary.

03-11-2004, 11:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	horrible. my wife and I were just talking last night about planning a vacation there in the upcoming months... __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

03-11-2004, 11:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
bookerV Addict Location: Ontario, Canada	I dont understand people that would lash out at unsuspecting civilians. It just isnt right at all. These are just normal people going about their usual routine. Could be anyone just taking the train to work and their life has to be snuffed out by someone because they dont get what they want... I really feel for everyone involved in this situation. Hopefully these people dont harm innocent people like this ever again. __________________ "That's why you're the judge and I'm the law-talking guy." Lionel Hutz

03-11-2004, 08:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.

03-11-2004, 11:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
RoboBlaster Psycho Location: Ouuuterrrr Spaaaaacccceeee	God, what a terrible event. My heart goes out.

03-11-2004, 01:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	It might be ETA and it might be Muslim extremists. The security forces have found tapes with verses from the Koran in one of the vans used by the bombers, if the latest news reports are to be believed. Either way, they're scum. Mr Mephisto

03-11-2004, 01:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
RoboBlaster Psycho Location: Ouuuterrrr Spaaaaacccceeee	Looks like this is the work of Al Qaeda. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...9&section=news

03-11-2004, 01:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
water_boy1999 Fly em straight! Location: Above and Beyond	This saddens me. Of all the countries you would think wouldn't get bombed, Spain has to be up there on the list. It makes me sick to continue to see terrorists try to bargain with the lives of innocent people. I wish everything bad on the people....no, not people...monsters, who campaign their beliefs by use of terror. I wish I could find myself, someday, face to face with one of these guys/girls. __________________ Doh!!!! -Homer Simpson

03-11-2004, 01:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Is there a victims/injured list yet? I'm worried about a friend on vacation... __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-11-2004, 02:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jasmar Crazy	I figured it wasn't ETA. ETA may not be the nicest guys around but they dont kill mass amounts of civilains on purpose

03-11-2004, 02:54 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jasmar Crazy	ok... thats about 12 people a year typically. ETA tends to go after spanish police Guardias sevilles(prolly spelled that wrong) and politicians. Like i said they tend not to kill mass amounts of civilans

03-11-2004, 03:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
Shady Tilted Location: Ohio	what goes through these people's minds? what makes them think its ok to just take innocent lives? it baffles me how unloving the world has become. __________________ Only Dre can judge me for the mistakes I'm makin, if I'm fakin I'm Clay Aiken.

03-11-2004, 03:16 PM	#20 (permalink)
Jasmar Crazy	I agree there not good guys im not defending them. Ill assume you mean 1997=) and yeah that is true(the shopping center) but a good amount of the time they call in before setting off the bombs to give people a chance to evacuate. And this is considerably larger scale then anything they've done in the past and being considerably down on members i wouldn't expect their attacks to be getting bigger. And im pretty sure al quieda already said they were responsible

03-11-2004, 03:30 PM	#21 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Make you own conclusions... March 11, 2004: At least 182 people killed and more than 900 injured in 10 explosions on commuter trains in Madrid. ETA alledgedly responsible (still undetermined) July 13, 1997: Miguel Angel Blanco, councilman in the small Basque town of Ermua, dies in a hospital after being shot by his ETA kidnappers and left dying in a ditch following government's refusal to discuss better conditions for jailed ETA members. Slaying triggered massive demonstrations throughout Spain. Feb. 14, 1996: Francisco Tomas y Valiente, former president of Spain's Constitutional Court, shot three times in the head at his office at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he taught law. Slaying triggered demonstrations throughout Spain. Dec. 11, 1995: Six civilian workers traveling in military van killed in car-bomb attack in Madrid's Vallecas suburb. April 19, 1995: Then-opposition party leader Jose Maria Aznar (now prime minister) survives Madrid car-bomb attack on his official car. June 21, 1993: Six military personnel and one Defense Ministry worker killed in car-bomb attack in Madrid. Feb.2, 1992: Five people, three soldiers and two workers, killed in car-bomb attack in Madrid's Cruz Verde square. Dec. 11, 1991: 10 people, including four children, killed in car-bomb attack on Civil Guard barracks in Vic, northeastern Spain. Dec. 11, 1987: 11 people, including five children, killed in car-bomb attack on Civil Guard police live-in barracks in Zaragoza, northeastern Spain. June 19, 1987: 21 civilians killed in car bomb attack at supermarket parking lot in Barcelona. July 14 1986: 12 Civil Guard police officers killed in car-bomb attack at Madrid's Dominican Republic's square. April 25, 1986: Five Civil Guard officers killed in Madrid car bomb attack. Sept. 13, 1974: 12 killed in bomb attack on Madrid cafe. Dec. 20 1973: Luis Carrero Blanco, prime minister appointed toward the end of Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship, killed in car-bomb attack in central Madrid. The above list is NOT comprehensive. I'm not saying ETA are responsible, but I hate to see people say things like "they tend not to kill mass amounts of people." What do you call bombing shopping centres? I've lived in a country that has experienced terrorism for 30 years. It's not pleasant. Mr Mephisto

03-11-2004, 05:34 PM	#22 (permalink)
Eugeni Crazy Location: everywhere else	I live in Barcelona, second biggest city in Spain. When I knew about it, I felt like crying. Nobody knows who has been. I am looking forward to know. But ETA has always warned beforhand about the attacks. For your information, Spain holds general elections on Sunday. __________________ titular Last edited by Eugeni; 03-12-2004 at 09:57 AM..

03-11-2004, 06:54 PM	#23 (permalink)
User Name Banned Location: Urf	Apparently, this isn't the ETA, but what's the deal with them? I know the Basque homeland was oppressed during Franco's regime, but now it has relative autonomy.(Source here) It's not like Spain or France are building security fences around the Basque land, or rolling in with tanks to crush "insurgents". Furthermore, only about 1/4 of Basques speak the language (but are usually bilingual), and the rest speak Spanish or French exclusively, and are Roman Catholics, just like their ethnic Spanish and French neighbors. I just don't see why they crave independence so much. Anyone care to enlighten me, especially anyone from Spain? Last edited by User Name; 03-11-2004 at 06:57 PM..

03-11-2004, 10:01 PM	#26 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Regardless of who did it and why - my heart is with the people of Spain. Say what you will about aloof Americans, but I am deeply saddened and angry. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

03-12-2004, 12:58 PM	#28 (permalink)
Jasmar Crazy	Yeah i remember a few weeks ago I heard about police stopping a van full of stolen tnt. All i can say is im glad no one i know was killed or has been killed in attacks. Most of my family is in spain

03-12-2004, 05:35 PM	#29 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	__________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

03-12-2004, 11:20 PM	#30 (permalink)
:::OshnSoul::: Guest	A strange, mysterious linkage between this and 9/11: The Madrid bombing was on 3/11 Total up the number of days between 9/11 & 3/11= 911

03-12-2004, 11:28 PM	#31 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	They did not account for the leap year, but apparently Al Quaeda is claiming responsibility. Report Here