23rd
April 2007
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, a media report said 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
rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy and socialist Segolene
Royal, the radio station said 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
that "there's a big risk that Spain could be the subject
of a new Islamist attack."
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.
Related Stories:
DEBKAfile: Will al
Qaeda use violence to prevent Sarcozy becoming French
president? The Madrid rail bombing worked in Spain:
http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=4108
Jihadis aspire to
‘conquer France’
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3390982,00.html
Officials: Algerian
Boming Is First Wave of New Al Qaeda ‘Spring Offensive’
http://www.crusade-media.com/news65.html
