European press ask 'Why?'

BBC News Online ^ | March 12 2004

[knighthawk]

In the aftermath of the bombings in Madrid, newspapers across Europe on Friday look at what happened the previous day and ask the questions who, and why?

The horror and the pity

Madrid's El Pais carries accounts by people caught up in the attack.

"Those who were able to walk got out and stampeded down the tracks," a 28-year old commuter says. "I stayed to help, to get the wounded out... I held a girl in my arms and we lost her... She died in my arms."

"There were wounded and blood everywhere, body parts, and people trapped in the wreckage," a man tells the paper.

"What struck me the most," the Swiss Tribune De Geneve quotes a tearful nurse as saying "were the mobile phones of the dead, which never stopped ringing."

"How easy it is to kill people on their way to work in the morning," Barcelona's La Vanguardia quotes a stunned bystander as saying as he contemplated the carnage.

But who did it?

Madrid's El Pais thinks it was ETA.

"This was the terrorists' way of reminding us of their existence."

But in Barcelona, La Vanguardia points out that, if so, then ETA has "adopted a new strategy of terror totally different from the one to which we are sadly accustomed".

A thought echoed by Le Monde in neighbouring France.

"The Basque group has usually warned the security services "so as to minimize civilian casualties, the paper points out."

And after its previous bloodiest attack, when 21 people died in a Barcelona supermarket blast in 1987, the paper says, ETA actually issued an apology.

Fellow-Parisian Liberation is also dubious although ETA "inevitably comes to mind first."

But "the massive scale of the Madrid attack," the paper argues, "is more in line with what is known of al Qaeda than with the methods of the Basque terrorists."

The Swiss Tribune De Geneve asks whether these are "the hideous convulsions of a weakened nationalist movement, or the provocation of the fanatical henchmen of al Qaeda, determined to punish Spain for its part in the American war on Iraq"?

Even a third possibility should not be ruled out, the paper argues, in the form of collaboration between ETA and Islamist groups.

Fellow-Genevan Le Temps is preoccupied with the same subject, and mourns the time when "the swine had the guts to claim responsibility without cheating".

These days, it observes, "terrorism appears to have become a form of expression in itself, nihilism's revenge on politics".

Spain's 11 September

In Germany, Sueddeutsche Zeitung believes that "this 11 March will mark Spain's memory in a similar way that 11 September 2001 has marked the memory of the USA and of the whole world".

The paper notes that the attacks came at a time when the Spanish authorities appeared to have scored some notable successes in their fight against ETA.

"Paradoxical as it may seem," it says, "this could precisely be the reason for the latest terror attacks, if indeed, as suspected, ETA is responsible."

The Frankfurter Rundschau says the bombings have created a greater sense of national unity.

If the call for tough police state methods becomes too loud there is a possibility that the wounds left by Spain's Francoist past, which have not quite healed, will be ripped open again

Der Standard "In Spain people are rallying as they have rarely done in the history of this country marked by civil war, dictatorship and nationalistic revolts," the paper says.

But in Austria, Der Standard is not so sure this will last.

"If the call for tough police state methods becomes too loud," it warns, "there is a possibility that the wounds left by Spain's Francoist past, which have not quite healed, will be ripped open again."

Its fellow-Austrian Die Presse says no security measures can provide protection from attacks such as the Madrid bombings because terrorism is "timeless".

"If it does not happen here and now," the paper says, "it will happen tomorrow somewhere else, because this is no longer about negotiations or concrete goals but rather chaos, suffering and cruelty."

The view from 'new Europe'

After the Madrid attack, Hungarian Nepszabadsag says, "Europe is faced with greater dilemmas than America after 11 September".

If the attack was the work of Basque separatists, the paper argues, "then it highlights the failure of most European states to find a working compromise with their national minorities".

"If, however, the bombers were Islamic extremists," it adds, " then current European reservations to America's response are untenable."

The Polish Gazeta Wyborcza makes a direct link with the 11 September attacks, which were "intended to kill, and the more innocent victims the better".

"Did al Qaeda want to punish Spain for its alliance with the United States and its part in the Iraq war?" it wonders.

In the Czech Republic, Pravo warns that, in central Europe too, "every tram, train or underground journey could one day become a deadly adventure, as is already the case in Moscow, Jerusalem - or Madrid".

Russian thoughts

Still further east, the Russian newspapers are also preoccupied with the bombings.

"Europe has been confronted with the "most heinous crime in its entire post-war history," Nezavisimaya Gazeta cries.

"Europe will never again be the same as it was before 11 March," Izvestiya says.

"In blowing up the Spanish stations, the terrorists dispelled her illusions, made her less naive, less good-natured. One would like to believe they have made her more protected."

But the paper also hopes that the events have made Europe "less supercilious."

"What are European politicians, MPs, rights activists and journalists going to do after 11 March?," it asks.

"Will they, for instance, continue to demand that Moscow sit down at the negotiating table with those who organized the invasion of Dagestan and the explosions in Russian towns?"

"Or will they finally try to put themselves in our place?"

The European press review is compiled by BBC Monitoring from internet editions of the main European newspapers and some early printed editions.

---

Europe has been confronted with the "most heinous crime in its entire post-war history

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

If the call for tough police state methods becomes too loud there is a possibility that the wounds left by Spain's Francoist past, which have not quite healed, will be ripped open again

Der Standard

11 March will mark Spain's memory in a similar way that 11 September 2001 has marked the memory of the USA and of the whole world

Sueddeutsche Zeitung

Are these the hideous convulsions of a weakened nationalist movement, or the provocation of the fanatical henchmen of al Qaeda?

Tribune De Geneve

The Basque group has usually warned the security services so as to minimize civilian casualties

Le Monde

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[longtermmemmory]

Why?

Its El Cid's fault. He was too milaristic in making spain for the spaniards.

[Rutles4Ever]

European Press Ask "Why?"

This is why Europe is the Eternal Battlefield.

And the same reason I don't want America to become the Final Battlefield.

Neville Chamberlain on line 1 for the BBC...

[Rutles4Ever]

Will "the Beeb" become a March 12th kind of news outlet or remain stuck on March 10th?

[billorites]

The Madrid newspapers, El Pais and El Mundo, are focusing on ETA.

Al Queda is mentioned as a footnote and not given much prominence.

Usually with these things, the truth emerges slowly, like from a fog, days or weeks after the horrific event.

Who was really responsible will be known, but probably no time soon.

(Well Bush knew, but we already knew that...)

[Ronin]

I sense an almost tangible desperation on the part of Europeans to pin this on ETA. Despite the lack of evidence and the Islamist claims of responsibility.

They need to wake up and smell the coffee. It was Al Queda and the reason they hit Madrid instead of an American city was because they COULD hit Madrid. American targets are a bit too hard these days.

[Gamecock]

Why?

It's all in the French foreign policy that you all follow.

[doug from upland]

We have indeed waken up, but we are anything but hard enough yet. They can still strike a mighty blow. That is what can happen in a free society.

[TomGuy]

European Press Ask "Why?"

Because appeasement doesn't work against evil that is bend on destroying people and civilizations and driving the world back into the 7th Century.

[Qwinn]

I would be astounded if it was the ETA. This article actually does state quite accurately why it would be very much against their character. If you could pick a single organization on this planet that is given the label "terrorist" that actively tries -not- to kill people, it's the ETA. Consider them the "Barney" of terrorists, relatively speaking.

Qwinn

[eddie willers]

"If, however, the bombers were Islamic extremists," it adds, " then current European reservations to America's response are untenable."

Words for the weasels.

[Spruce]

That's why they are over there. And we are over here.

[cripplecreek]

My wife with several years of college walked in and read the article over my shoulder.

Her response to the questions of europeans. "Well DUH"

[muleskinner]

Double megadittos

[neutrino]

But who did it?

Hmm...ETA? It's not their style, and they don't claim a major, successful attack that required considerable preparation and effort. No.

Radical Amish? There weren't any horses seen leaving the area. No.

The Spanish Inquisition? They've been out of business for years. No.

Enraged Easter Bunnies? Well, no eggs were spotted. No.

Radical mo-slime terrorists? It fit their style, and they did claim credit. But, everyone knows is-slime is the religion of peace and love. No.

Oh, how I wonder who it could possibly be!

[RussianConservative]

In the aftermath of the bombings in Madrid, newspapers across Europe on Friday look at what happened the previous day and ask the questions who, and why?

Because you not Islamics, you Western European idiots...just ask us Orthodox slavs and we give you history lesson why your orgy with Islam can only end one way...or go die off and shutup and let peoples who willing to fight Islam alone.

[RussianConservative]

Fellow-Genevan Le Temps is preoccupied with the same subject, and mourns the time when "the swine had the guts to claim responsibility without cheating". These days, it observes, "terrorism appears to have become a form of expression in itself, nihilism's revenge on politics".

And excuse me...who invent nihilism? Sucks when it come back to you, hugh? I have little sympathy for Council of Europe nations who condemn Russian war on Islamics when Russian apartment blown up and now cry as little baby when they get black eye...when your death toll reach almost thousand like Russia or several thousand like Israel, come talk, otherwise, bleed in Islamic bed you make for yourselfes.

Oh and when you done licking your wounds...go and apologize to Serbs too.

[Hot Tabasco]

"Europe is faced with greater dilemmas than America after 11 September".

Yup, finally somebody over there woke up......

[RussianConservative]

I give you a few more clues: either those damn Orthodox militants (Serb or Russian or Greek or Makedonian) or the frigging Jeeewwws...always the Jeeewwws....Islam is your friend, it is great religion, make much scientific contribution....Orhtodox and Jews are devils, Mohamed is perfect and great modil grandfather...oops that was Stalin on the last...heehehehe. Just repeat five hundreds times...oh and Christian and Jews make dinosaurs to eat Moslems....

[dirtboy]

In the aftermath of the bombings in Madrid, newspapers across Europe on Friday look at what happened the previous day and ask the questions who, and why?

The right question is not WHY. This is not the act of rational minds, and WHY is a question that deflects off radical dogma like a bug against a windshield. The proper question to ask if HOW. HOW can we keep the lunatics from doing this to us again? HOW can we kill or imprison these SOBs so they can't kill innocents ever again? HOW do we overcome our insane Euro-weenie notions of tolerance and realize that there can be no peace with radical Islam?

[Hot Tabasco]

Oh, how I wonder who it could possibly be!

Islamohomos? No, they're waiting in line to get married.

I'm thinking it's the radical leftwing Gerbilites.......

[RussianConservative]

No this is act of rational mind...you simply make mistake to believe that there is only one rational to humanity...for the There is only one god Allah crowd, this is quite rational.

[wimpycat]

Since I first heard about the attacks, I've thought it had al-Qaeda written all over it, but now I'm not so sure.

My husband has a theory (and he's not often wrong) that sounded a little far-fetched, but after today's "denials" by people purporting to be from ETA, it doesn't sound so far-fetched. Aznar is stepping down, but his party is on the line. His party has been very tough on ETA, which the Spaniards support, but they have also allied themselves with the U.S. in Iraq, which most Spaniards don't support. The theory is if people believe it was al-Qaeda, it would erode support for Aznar's party. Could ETA have staged the attack, changing their M.O., to make people believe it was al-Qaeda? Last month the police intercepted a van, driven by Basques, with 1,000 lbs. of explosives. That's a lot of explosives for ETA. Just because they normally phone in warnings and they "apologized" for the supermarket attack in 1987 doesn't mean they are any more humane than any other terrorist group. They still get off on blowing people up, even if it is normally in ones and twos.

[workerbee]

"If, however, the bombers were Islamic extremists," it adds, " then current European reservations to America's response are untenable."

Which is why all the Pierres and Johanns over there are on their knees praying to a god they don't even believe exists to please please please make it be ETA.

[Maria S]

"If, however, the bombers were Islamic extremists," it adds, " then current European reservations to America's response are untenable."

"Words for the weasels."



My sentiments exactly.

[lainde]

bump and thanks!

[dirtboy]

No this is act of rational mind...you simply make mistake to believe that there is only one rational to humanity...for the There is only one god Allah crowd, this is quite rational.

Sorry, but that kind of response is something I'd expect from a liberal. I believe in Judeo-Christian morality - because it, despite any flaws it may have displayed over the years, has still garnered more prosperity, charity, morality and happiness than all other religious, political, philosophical and moral schools of thought combined. I'm not willing to accept the Islamofascists as having a legitimate point of view - because they are antithethical to mine, and I have no desire to tolerate or understand where they are coming from. They are entitled to their opinion - as long as they don't try to kill off mine. Once they cross that threshhold, all considerations of tolerance are off the table.

[neutrino]

Hey! That's it! The Serbs! They've been plotting all along with the Jeeewwws! And the claim by Al Quida is just a deception against peaceful mo-slimes!

[Polybius]

If you could pick a single organization on this planet that is given the label "terrorist" that actively tries -not- to kill people, it's the ETA. Consider them the "Barney" of terrorists,

Well, ETA has killed about 800 people since 1968. However, it is true that, in the past, ETA's killings have been targeted killings and they have tried to avoid wholesale slaughter of civilians by giving advanced warnings.

This sounds more like al Qaeda but I would not rule out a joint ETA-al Qaeda operation. An organization can change over time.

[pointsal]

WHY...Why...why...FOOL! Go ask THAT question in Mecca....see if your head is attached after asking that question. Fool...why.

[Victoria Delsoul]

The Swiss Tribune De Geneve asks whether these are "the hideous convulsions of a weakened nationalist movement, or the provocation of the fanatical henchmen of al Qaeda, determined to punish Spain for its part in the American war on Iraq"?

I believe it is Al Qaeda. That's what they do… inflict maximum damage, kill as many people as possible. This isn't ETA's MO.

[null and void]

Hmmmm? When it happened here, they said it was our fault...

[TheLion]

Thanks for the ping....developing story for sure!

[Victoria Delsoul]

I bet the Spanish Left is already saying that it is our fault there, too.

[null and void]

LOL! True, but not where I was going with that...

[Victoria Delsoul]

But it worked! LOL!!!

[null and void]

Yes. Frighteningly well!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Maybe it has to do with the fact that today is Friday. Things work frighteningly well on Fridays, LOL!!!

[redrock]

"Why??"

It's simple.

Many in Europe failed to understand the danger posed by the terrorists. They failed to understand that the terrorists will not respond to discussion...bribery....or even giving in to the demands of the moment.

They (the terrorists) will only respond to force...and more force.

...and some, such as those in France and Germany, who DID understand the danger...lacked the testicles to actually DO anything.

redrock

[Trillian]

They shouldn't be asking why they did it, they should be killing those responsible so they don't do it again.

[nopardons]

btt

[RussianConservative]

This is Western Europe you speak off...they have life desire of a sheep and intellectual stamina of lemmings.

[DB]

The big question will be if the explosives match.

I don't think March 11 is a coincidence.

The thing going for ETA is there is no point to all the effort of killing people if they don't claim responsibility.

Personally, I think it was Isamists.

[longtermmemmory]

They will remain a march 10 useful idiot. Their reaction to 9//11 plays that out.

[VOA]

European press ask 'Why?'

"Hey, it's what we do!"
--Al-Quida and fellow-travelers

[rrrod]

to the euroscum the truth wont matter...deep down in the souls or what passes as a soul they just KNOW it was bush and the americans fault! my sympathies and condolences to the victims of the madrid bombing.

[VOA]

"What struck me the most," the Swiss Tribune De Geneve quotes a tearful nurse as
saying "were the mobile phones of the dead, which never stopped ringing."

Just as chilling as the amateur video from Ground Zero...you could hear
the constant beeping of the firefighters' personal alarms (that go off when
they don't move for about a minute or so)...just a constant beeping of multiple alarms
from dead, buried firefighters.

About the only solace now is that the cowardly thugs set off the bombs before the
trains got inside the terminals, crowded with many thousands more potential victims.

[rrrod]

well said...very tragic

[mdmathis6]

"I sense an almost tangible desperation on the part of Europeans to pin this on ETA. Despite the lack of evidence and the Islamist claims of responsibility."


You sensed that too? If it is Al Quaeda, it strengthens Bush's hands in the elections and Europe doesn't want that. Spain is a NATO member and will have been attacked. Since a NATO member was attacked, the whole has to respond if asked.
If it was ETA, then it will be treated as an internal domestic event. I don't think it was ETA as the ETA will have invited on them-selves the most terrible retribution and suppression of their movement. The ETA wants freedom for Basques, and a bombimg of this magnitude just back-fires in its face, assuming it was them who did it!

It was Al Quaeda or one of its confederate groups!