As tens of millions of Spaniards go to the polls today, a videocassette has been found in Madrid claiming responsibility on behalf of Al-Qaeda for last week's murderous train bombings.
Spain's Interior Minister announced that a man dressed as an Arab and speaking with a Moroccan accent presented himself on the tape as the military spokesman for Al-Qaeda in Europe. The spokesman said that the bombings, which have exacted 200 lives and some 1,400 injured, occurred on 3-11, exactly two and a half years after the World Trade Center-Pentagon attacks. Symbolism was also found in the fact that there were 911 days in between 9-11 and Madrid's 3-11.
Spain was targeted, according to the man on the tape, in response to Spain's cooperation with the Anglo allies in their war against Afghanistan and Iraq. He threatened worse attacks in the future.
A Spanish television station received an anonymous phone call saying that the tape could be found in a mosque's trashcan - which it in fact was. Authorities are currently checking the tape's authenticity, and are continuing to investigate whether the attack was carried out by Al-Qaeda or by the "local" Basque terrorists. Another indication towards Al-Qaeda was the arrest over the weekend of five Muslims from Morocco and India in connection with the attacks.
Speaking on Israel Radio this morning, Spain's Ambassador to Israel, Eudalao Mirapeix, said that the terror attacks in Madrid will bring his country and Israel closer together. The ambassador added that following the attacks, security is being heightened throughout Europe.
Spain's Interior Minister announced that a man dressed as an Arab and speaking with a Moroccan accent presented himself on the tape as the military spokesman for Al-Qaeda in Europe. The spokesman said that the bombings, which have exacted 200 lives and some 1,400 injured, occurred on 3-11, exactly two and a half years after the World Trade Center-Pentagon attacks. Symbolism was also found in the fact that there were 911 days in between 9-11 and Madrid's 3-11.
Spain was targeted, according to the man on the tape, in response to Spain's cooperation with the Anglo allies in their war against Afghanistan and Iraq. He threatened worse attacks in the future.
A Spanish television station received an anonymous phone call saying that the tape could be found in a mosque's trashcan - which it in fact was. Authorities are currently checking the tape's authenticity, and are continuing to investigate whether the attack was carried out by Al-Qaeda or by the "local" Basque terrorists. Another indication towards Al-Qaeda was the arrest over the weekend of five Muslims from Morocco and India in connection with the attacks.
Speaking on Israel Radio this morning, Spain's Ambassador to Israel, Eudalao Mirapeix, said that the terror attacks in Madrid will bring his country and Israel closer together. The ambassador added that following the attacks, security is being heightened throughout Europe.