Aznar: Spain Failed to See Terror Threat

[Khephra]

MADRID, Spain -- Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has admitted for the first time that his government failed to estimate the threat posed by Islamic extremists ahead of the March 11 terrrost attack.

In a book published Monday, Aznar conceded that -- because of its success fighting Basque separatist groups -- his government may have lowered its guard ahead of the Madrid bombings of commuter trains that killed 191 people and wounded more than 2,000.

The bombings, Spain's worst terror attack, were blamed on al-Qaida-linked militants.

Aznar's conservative government initially blamed the strikes on the Basque ETA group. As reports emerged that Islamic terrorists were likely responsible, the Spanish opposition accused the government of a cover up.

more..........

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-spain-aznar-terror,0,953713.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[DAGDA56]

1. He was in charge, he blew it, now he's gone...

...that's the way it's supposed to work, isn't it?

[Leezamarie]

5. I think he done it

as a last ditch effort to get re-elected. Two of the so called "terrorists" have turned out to be police informants. Also, bystanders say that the police blew up the builing that the "terroritsts" were in so the whole thing smells. Why was there no CCTV footage of these "rucksack bombers"? European stations are all covered by cameras and these guys would have been carrying big bags.

[oblivious]

6. Welcome to DU Leezamarie

That's the first thing I thought. Someone has done this to help Aznar win the election. The country rallies around a strong leader, blah blah.

I was impressed by the intelligence of the Spanish voters. And I was amazed at the immediate propaganda effort in the press around the world accusing Spanish voters of caving in to the terrorists. I thought it was exactly the opposite.

[w4rma]

2. Just like ShrubCo. (nt)

[freeforall]

3. Guess his crystal ball was cloudy!

:eyes:

[oblivious]

4. Now I know there's something fishy there

That's supposedly why he committed his country to war - to support *'s war on terror (i.e. kill muslims and take their treasure)

Yet he never imagined they were a threat!!!!!!!!

This is very suspicious. Where have we seen this before? Time to pay more attention to the investigation there.

[leesa]

7. Go away Azner, nobody wants you. you tried to scam your country

and they didn't let you get away with it.

[moondust]

8. Distracted, Jose?

Take your eye off the ball, Jose? What the hell were you doing in Iraq of all places, Jose?

[ze_dscherman]

9. El Mundo newspaper claims two of the suspects were police informants

"The Spanish interior ministry says it is investigating reports that two suspects in the 11 March Madrid train bombings were police informants.

The move came after Spain's El Mundo newspaper said Moroccan Rafa Zuher and Spaniard Jose Emilio Suarez had been in contact with police before the attacks.

The men are suspected of providing dynamite for the attacks, which killed 191 people and injured more than 2,000.

The paper said they passed on details about drug deals and other crimes. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3670627.stm

[oblivious]

10. Wow! That's the key...who supplies the dynamite?

The guys who place it are easily manipulated patsies. The people who plan, supply and recruit are the dangerous ones.

And now they may be tied in with the police. That really gives me a sick feeling.