Spain hunts for bombers

2004-03-12 13:03

Madrid, Spain - Investigators on Friday hunted for the bombers who blew up four trains, killing at least 198 people, while Spanish authorities vowed to go to the polls as planned on Sunday.

Authorities blamed militant Basque separatists for Thursday's co-ordinated string of 10 explosions on packed commuter trains, but they also were studying a claim of responsibility by a shadowy group in the name of al-Qaeda.

Three days of mourning were declared and campaigning was called off for Spain's general election, but Foreign Minister Ana Palacio pledged that the vote would be held on Sunday as planned.

"This would be the first way to tell terrorists about our determination to go forward and that they will not succeed in their wicked cause," Palacio told Australia's Channel Nine television from Spain.

A major campaign issue was how to deal with ETA, the Basque militant group.

The government has called nationwide rallies for Friday evening, with Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and other senior officials leading one in Madrid. Millions are expected to attend around the country.

"March 11, 2004, now holds its place in the history of infamy," Aznar said.

The 10 backpack bombs exploded in a 15-minute span, starting about 07:39 on trains along 14.5km of commuter line from Santa Eugenia to the Atocha terminal. Police also found and detonated three other bombs.

"An act of barbaric terrorism has engulfed Spain with profound pain, repulsion and anger," King Juan Carlos said on national television.

The e-mail claim of responsibility, signed by the shadowy Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri and received by the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi, said the brigade's "death squad" had penetrated "one of the pillars of the crusade alliance, Spain."

"This is part of settling old accounts with Spain, the crusader, and America's ally in its war against Islam," the claim said.

Spain's government is studying the claim but still believes ETA is more likely responsible, a senior official in Aznar's office said.

The United States believes al-Masri sometimes falsely claims to be acting on behalf of al-Qaeda. The group took credit for blackouts in the United States and London last year.

The Interior Ministry said tests showed the explosives used in the attacks were a kind of dynamite normally used by ETA.

The bombers used titadine, a kind of compressed dynamite also found in a bomb-laden van intercepted last month as it headed for Madrid. Officials blamed ETA then, too.

In a break with past ETA tactics, there were multiple attacks and no warning. ETA has usually gone after one target at a time and the largest casualty toll was 21 killed in 1987.

ETA stands for Euskadi ta Askatasuna, or Basque Homeland and Freedom. The organisation is believed by police to number perhaps only several dozen hard-core militants who are supported by a wider group of Basque nationalists.

- AP