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| Europe |
| 3 Morrocans and 2 Indians detained in connection with crimes |
| 2004-03-13 |
| Very idiomatic translation, but better than Babelfish. They are presumed to be implicated in the sale and falsification of cellular telephone cards found in a knapsack with explosives and that did not detonate. The bag contained Goma 2 (seems to be plastic explosive) made in Spain together with a detonator and the abovementioned cell phone. Sources(?) said that they might have connections with extremists but that no conlusion will be reached soon. |
| Posted by:11A5S |
| #6 Tape Claims al-Qaida Tied to Spain Blasts MADRID, Spain - Spain's interior minister said Sunday a videotape has been discovered claiming al-Qaida carried out the Madrid terrorist attacks and threatening more, but that he could not verify the veracity of the claim. Earlier, Spain arrested three Moroccans and two Indians in connection with the attacks Thursday that killed 200 people and wounded 1,500. Interior Minister Angel Acebes said a man identifying himself as the military spokesman of al-Qaida in Europe claimed the group was responsible for the bombings. "We declare our responsibility for what happened in Madrid exactly 2 1/2 years after the attacks on New York and Washington," said the man, according to a government translation of the tape, which was recorded in Arabic. "It is a response to your collaboration with the criminals Bush and his allies." Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has been a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led war in Iraq (news - web sites). A London-based Arabic newspaper had earlier received a claim of responsibility in al-Qaida's name; but the government has been reluctant to blame the Islamic group, saying the Basque separatist group ETA was also a suspect. ETA denied responsibility. Speaking at a hastily called post-midnight news conference at the interior ministry, Acebes said authorities could not confirm the claim was genuine. He said the videotape was discovered after an Arabic-speaking man called a Madrid TV station and said where it could be found. A statement from the ministry said the speaker was identified as Abu Dujan al Afghani. Acebes said the man was not known to law enforcement authorities in Spain, and that they were checking the tape's authenticity. The man threatened further attacks in the video. "This is a response to the crimes that you caused in the world, and specifically in Iraq and Afghanistan (news - web sites), and there will be more if God wills it," the man said, according to the Spanish government's translation. Thursday's attacks in Madrid came just days before Sunday's general elections in Spain. At demonstrations Saturday, some protesters said they believed the ruling party was playing down the possible link between the bombings and Spain's role in Iraq, fearing it would hurt the party's chances in the election. Acebes, speaking at a news conference on Saturday, said the five suspects were all arrested around Madrid. A spokesman for the Moroccan government identified the three Moroccans as as Jamal Zougam, 30; Mohamed Bekkali, 31, a mechanic; and Mohamed Chaoui, 34. All three are from northern Morocco, but the government gave no further details about them. "One might have connections with Moroccan extremist groups. But it is still very early to establish to what degree," Acebes said. He did not name any group. Asked whether the Basque separatist group ETA is still considered a suspect, Acebes said: "We must not rule anything out." |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-3-13 7:52:01 PM |
| #5 the man on the tape would be Abu Dujan Al Afghani.. |
| Posted by: lyot 2004-3-13 7:33:24 PM |
| #4 CNN: "a man appearing in a videotape claiming to be a military spokesman for Al Qaeda in Europe says the terror group is behind Thursday's bombings that killed 200 people. The tape -- which has not been independently verified -- was delivered to a broadcast station Saturday." ----------------- El Mundo has more: Un presunto portavoz "militar" de Al Qaeda en Europa ha asumido, en nombre del grupo terrorista, la autorÃa de los atentados cometidos el pasado dÃa 11 mediante un vÃdeo localizado por la PolicÃa cerca de la Mezquita de Madrid. Según ha revelado el ministro del Interior, Ãngel Acebes, se trata de una "reivindicación realizada por un varón, en árabe y con acento marroquÃ". Horas antes, el ministro confirmó la detención en la capital de tres marroquÃes y dos indios por su presunta vinculación con los hechos. El hombre que aparece en el vÃdeo, vestido con ropa tÃpicas árabes, dice: "Declaremos nuestra responsabilidad de lo ocurrido en Madrid". Además, asegura que "los ataques se cometieron en respuesta a los crÃmenes de Bush y sus aliados". "Habrá más si Dios quiere y no paran vuestras injusticias. Vosotros queréis la vida y nosotros la muerte". Según ha explicado Acebes, Telemadrid recibió la llamada de un varón con acento árabe que avisaba de que habÃa dejado una cinta de vÃdeo en la calle, entre la mezquita de la M-30 y el tanatorio cercano, situado a unos 300 metros. Las Fuerzas de Seguridad hallaron efectivamente la cinta de vÃdeo poco después, se visionó y se tradujo, según ha señalado el ministro. La identidad facilitada por el protagonista del vÃdeo no ha podido ser acreditada por los servicios de inteligencia españoles, ni por otros extranjeros consultados. Acebes ha dicho que esta información es prueba de la polÃtica de "absoluta transparencia" del Gobierno en la investigación de los atentados. Google Translation: A presumed "military" spokesman of A the Qaeda in Europe has assumed, in name of the terrorist group, the responsibility of the attacks committed the past day 11 by means of a video located by the Police near the Mosque of Madrid. According to he has revealed the minister of the Interior, Acebes Angel, is a "vindication made by a man, in Arab and with accent marroqui '". Hours before, the minister confirmed the halting in the capital of three Moroccans and two Indians by his presumed entailment with the facts. The man who appears in the video, dress with clothes typical Arab, says: "We declare our responsibility of the happened thing in Madrid". In addition, it assures that "the attacks committed in answer to the crimes of Bush and its allies". "There will be more if God wants and do not stop your injustices. You love the life and we it death ". According to Acebes has explained, Telemadrid received the call of a man with Arab accent that warned that it had left a videotape in the street, between the mosque of the M-30 and tanatorio near, located about 300 meters. The Forces of Security found the videotape indeed shortly after, visionó and it was translated, according to has indicated the minister. The identity facilitated by the protagonist of the video could not have been credited by the Spanish intelligence services, nor by other consulted foreigners. Acebes has said that this information is test of the policy of "absolute transparency" of the Government in the investigation of the attacks. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-3-13 7:27:33 PM |
| #3 Bingo. Called that one on smell alone, didn't we? |
| Posted by: Fred 2004-3-13 7:10:13 PM |
| #2 Fox news 4PM PST says Spain has proof Al Qaeda was the culprit |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-3-13 7:00:09 PM |
| #1 The suspects "could be related to Moroccan extremist groups," the minister said. "But we should not rule out anything. Police are still investigating all avenues. This opens an important avenue." |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-3-13 6:04:37 PM |