2008 Woodie Awards
Spanish bombings linked to al Qaeda
Michael Robie
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Spain recently faced its own likening of Sept. 11. On March 11, 10 backpacks on four trains exploded at the height of morning rush hour. Occurring only three days before national elections, the train bombing killed 201 people and left 1,500 wounded. Initial suspects included the Basque ETA terrorist cell and al Qaeda.
More than one million demonstrators jammed the streets of Madrid on March 12 to protest the Spanish government's accusation that ETA was responsible.
Protesters insisted that the government accused the ETA for political reasons, since that would hurt it less than if the culprits had been linked to al Qaeda. The Popular Party supported the war in Iraq against the will of 90 percent of the nation, and any attacks that stemmed from that involvement would be hurtful in the elections.
The Associated Press recently reported that ETA made statements claiming they had no involvement whatsoever.
As a result, Spanish discontent with the pro-Bush administration ushered in the election of José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero and a victory for the Socialist party.
Moroccan cellular phone salesman Jamal Zougam, a suspected bomber, was picked up and identified as a previously recognized threat, the AP reported on March 17. Zougam was linked to the bombing through cell phones found in backpacks with undetonated bombs.The Spanish government and larger EU community are beginning to ask questions regarding the security of the EU and the efficiency of European intelligence organizations.
The Bush administration's detractors are quick to point out that Spain worked closely with the United States in the war in Iraq. They also point to the sweeping majority of the socialist party and the election of Zapatero as a direct response to Spain's backing of the U.S. war on terrorism and occupation of Iraq.
Less than 24 hours after the Socialist party swept the elections, prime minister-elect Zapatero made statements criticizing Bush. Zapatero's statements emphasized that the war in Iraq was based upon lies, and reprimanded Bush for failing to work with the international community, saying, "You can't just go ahead and do things. You can't bombard a people just in case [they pose a threat]."
The biggest blow to the United States comes from Zapatero's recent pledge to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq, as Spain has been one of the U.S. government's most faithful allies in the administration's war on terrorism. If Spain withdraws from Iraq, the United States would be left with an even greater military burden to bear there. However, Zapatero did add that he would be willing to keep troops in Iraq if control of the occupation were switched to the U.N.
The bombings came as the United States election season approaches, with the president's foreign policy an important issue.
For Bush, the bombings provided more fodder for his election campaign centered on his leadership in the war on terrorism and the resolve of Sept. 11.
For John Kerry, the bombings provide an opportunity to illustrate the need of the United States to work with foreign governments to produce a policy breeding peace, and to point to the fact that Spain recognized that the Bush-led strategies in the war on terrorism were making Spain less safe.