Al-Qaeda tape admits to Madrid bombings as Muslims arrested; Crowds protest at state 'lies' on eve of election 3 Edition

US intelligence sources indicated yesterday that they had always believed al-Qaeda was behind the bombings but had deferred to the Spanish government's claims that ETA was responsible, pending the general election. The FBI and CIA are in Madrid helping police, along with Moroccan officials. [Jo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSunday herald (Glasgow, Scotland)
Main Author Neil Mackay,Marion McKeone in Washington and James Cusick in Madrid
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Glasgow (UK) Gannett Media Corp 24.03.2004
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Summary:US intelligence sources indicated yesterday that they had always believed al-Qaeda was behind the bombings but had deferred to the Spanish government's claims that ETA was responsible, pending the general election. The FBI and CIA are in Madrid helping police, along with Moroccan officials. [Jose Maria Aznar] stuck to blaming ETA, despite the group denying involvement, and Islamic extremists claiming the atrocity for al- Qaeda shortly after the attack. A van linked to the attacks was found to contain Koranic verses and detonators. Al-Qaeda has long been known to have a number of Spanish sleeper cells. The country has jailed two dozen al-Qaeda suspects, including eight men thought to have helped plan the 9/11 attacks. Suspects in last May's Casablanca bombings and a 2002 synagogue bombing in Tunisia were also arrested in Spain.