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Spain fears al-Qaeda attack
23/04/2007 13:27 - (SA)
Madrid - The Spanish intelligence service fears that al-Qaeda militants could attack a target in Spain or in France in the coming weeks, possibly before the French election runoff, said a media report on Monday.
Private radio station Cadena Ser, which is close to the governing Socialists, said the information is contained in the latest intelligence report on al-Qaeda activity, compiled after April 11 suicide bombings in Algiers claimed by the network.
In Spain, the service is focusing on the possibility of an attack on May 27 during local elections, or during the America's Cup yachting competition which ends on July 7 in Valencia in the east of the country.
In France, the network could strike before May 6, the day of the second round runoff between right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy and socialist Segolene Royal, said the radio station on its website.
Earlier this month, Spain's top anti-terrorist judge warned that the country, in particular its north African enclaves, is threatened by Islamist attacks following suicide bombings in Morocco and Algeria.
Judge Baltasar Garzon, one of six investigating judges for Spain's National Court, told La Vanguardia daily "there's a big risk that Spain could be the subject of a new Islamist attack".
A warning against Spain
Baltasar, who has successfully prosecuted al-Qaeda operatives, added that Spain's tiny north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on the border with Morocco, are particularly at risk.
His remarks came after two suicide bomb attacks in Algiers killed at least 24 people, and three suspected members of an Islamist cell blew themselves up as they were pursued by police in Morocco.
The attacks in Algiers were claimed by al-Qaeda's branch in north Africa.
A statement posted on a website which often carries al-Qaeda messages claiming responsibility for the bombings included a warning against Spain.
- AFP
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