Gazz Posted March 16, 2004 #1 Share Posted March 16, 2004 With the revelation that Al-Qaeda was behind the recent train bombings in Madrid Spain, just before the elections. it seems that the attack changed the outcome of the spanish election of their top leader.... Just the way Al-Qaeda planned it to be? The new elected leader already claims he will pull all spanish troops out of Iraq and tone down the support of the US led war on terrorism. This is already seen in the radical muslim world as a great victory in bringing down the USA. In my opinion it will only make their cause seem more just (in their eyes) and in time will bring many new terrorists into their ranks. Does terrorism work? Can terrorists ever win? with the current events in Spain the answers to the above questions is YES! Gazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan Posted March 16, 2004 #2 Share Posted March 16, 2004 (edited) Apart from why was Spain in iraq in the first place. i really dont see why any countrie needs bombs,to do what the people of spain wanted to do in the first place,useing votes. I dont like terriosts,if you are going to war,then war with the army. But, if you guys did all that stuff to Greece,hahahahah DUCK. Edited March 16, 2004 by Spartan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddy_Hongster Posted March 16, 2004 #3 Share Posted March 16, 2004 I thought ETA was involved, although the bombing is still link to Al- Qaeda. With all the hype about war on terrorism, it is still sad to hear this kind of story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazz Posted March 16, 2004 Author #4 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Some information on this topic available in the news media today.... The Associated Press MADRID, Spain - Spain's next prime minister, saying "you cannot organize a war with lies," promised Monday to bring Spanish troops home from Iraq unless the United Nations took control from the United States. A day after his Socialists swept Spain's ruling conservatives from power in elections overshadowed by terrorist bombings, the new leader, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, insisted that he would seek "cordial relations" with Washington. But at a news conference in Madrid, he condemned the U.S. invasion last year as "disastrous" and added, The occupation of Iraq is [also] a disaster. Zapatero also promised to lead a more pro-European government that would restore "magnificent relations" with France and Germany, which both opposed the Iraq war, unlike Spain's outgoing government. Upset knocks out U.S. ally In a surprise defeat Sunday, the conservative Popular Party of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar became the first government that backed Washington in Iraq to be voted from office. The election was held amid charges that Aznar made Spain a target for terrorists by supporting the war and that his government concealed possible connections between the train bombings Thursday "the worst terrorist attacks in Spain's history" and Islamic terrorists for political gain. The attacks killed 201 people and wounded 1,500 others. Zapatero campaigned on a pledge to order Spain's 1,300 troops home. He made it clear Monday that he was prepared to fulfill that pledge. BY THE NUMBERS Troops in Iraq Which countries have provided military support United States 120,000 Britain 11,000 Albania 70 Australia 1,000 Azerbaijan 150 Bulgaria 470 Czech Rep. 92 Denmark 496 Dominican Rep. 300 ElSalvador 360 Estonia 55 Georgia 70 Honduras 370 Hungary 300 Italy 3,000 Japan 250 (750 on the way) Kazakhstan 25 Latvia 120 Lithuania 105 Macedonia 28 Moldova 25 Mongolia 180 Netherlands 1,100 NewZealand 60 Nicaragua 230 Norway 150 Philippines 95 (175 on the way) Poland 2,400 Romania 400 Singapore 200 Slovakia 69 (120 on the way) South Korea 675 (3,000 on the way) Spain 1,300 (may be pulled out soon) Thailand 443 (30 on the way) Ukraine 2,000 Full Report Link Gazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenojjin Posted March 16, 2004 #5 Share Posted March 16, 2004 sorry bout the image size , couldnt help it ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillcrazy Posted March 16, 2004 #6 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Total troops All nations 142,573 Total non U.S. Troops 22,573 Total Non U.S. and Britain Troops 11,573 Spain pulls out less than 1% total troops. 10% non-U.S./British troops. I think it's Spains right to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC09 Posted March 16, 2004 #7 Share Posted March 16, 2004 To pull out now is only going to encourage the terrorists. They're sadly mistaken if they think this will stop attacks against them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillcrazy Posted March 16, 2004 #8 Share Posted March 16, 2004 To pull out now is only going to encourage the terrorists. They're sadly mistaken if they think this will stop attacks against them. Kellalor, While I agree with your statement and that the next attacks will be on other countries that the population was less that happy about the war. It is Spains right to pull out. But I feel that once they do, they will open the door for any group who wants to pressure Spain into capitulation, will now find it easier to do so. And the only people who die are the innocent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC09 Posted March 16, 2004 #9 Share Posted March 16, 2004 It is Spains right to pull out. Oh, I agree its their right. I just don't think its the right thing to do, ya know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillcrazy Posted March 16, 2004 #10 Share Posted March 16, 2004 I agree. For the protection of the Spanish people they should stay the course. I can't fault the Spanish for not wanting to be involved, but now they will be targets of their own doing. Then who are they going to blame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strichar Posted March 16, 2004 #11 Share Posted March 16, 2004 (edited) Terrorism never wins. No act of violence ever turns out good. There will always be a violent reaction to every violent action. It may seem as though one side has won, then the other side eventually fight back. It is a never ending seige on humanity. We will never find peace if such things keep occurring. Edited March 16, 2004 by strichar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dowdy Posted March 16, 2004 #12 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Japan 250 (750 on the way) I thought Japan wasn't allowed to have an Army anymore as part of WW2 treaty. Kazakhstan 25 Good ol Kazakhstan. I wonder if Borat is with them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan Posted March 16, 2004 #13 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Terrorism never wins. No act of violence ever turns out good. There will always be a violent reaction to every violent action. It may seem as though one side has won, then the other side eventually fight back. It is a never ending seige on humanity. We will never find peace if such things keep occurring. YES AMEN . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillcrazy Posted March 16, 2004 #14 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Terrorism never wins. No act of violence ever turns out good. The simple truth is that Terrorist do not have to win a war and take over the government in order to win. If they change your lifestyle or your civil freedom/liberties. They have won. Once a freedom or liberty is taken away by law, it is very rare case that you get it back. As in Spain, they caused a change in a government. While this may or may not be directly attributable to the attacks in Spain, it achieved a victory in the minds of radical groups. If this attack caused a leader to fall, what will more attacks do to other countries. Britain and the U.S. both have elections coming up. If there are going to be more attacks, I would look for them in the time of those elections. The date of 3/11 was not done by accident, but more as a cue to persuade a people to oust a leader because he went against his people in an unpopular war. The terrorist bombed the U.N. headquarters in Iraq, the U.N. pulled out with no sign of returning any time soon. (Much of the problem lies with the U.S.'s insistence that they, the U.S. remain in charge.) However, the attack caused the U.N. to pull out until it feels safe, and the U.S. agrees to let the U.N. do it's job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted March 16, 2004 #15 Share Posted March 16, 2004 What people forget is that before the invasion of Iraq there were predictions that the War would increase terrorism. This has been proven correct. There wasn't any proof that Iraq had anything to do with Al Quida or 911, but the war has resulted in many moderates, both in Iraq and elsewhere, uniting against what they see as a common threat - the West. No, we shouldn't bow to terrorism; equally, we should look at ways of treating the cause of this ill-feeling towards us, which the war in Iraq has not done (in fact it has done the opposite). The majority of the Spanish people were against the war in the first place and the bombings last week were obviously the last straw. A large percentage of people here in the UK were also against the war and a poll I heard on the radio this morning said that 75% now feel that it has led to us being more vulnerable. The only difference between us and the Spanish is that we do not have a credible alternative to Blair and he is likely to win the next election, even though many here now belive that, at best, he misled us regarding the threat Iraq posed. Are the Spanish cowards? No. Are they bowing to terrorism? Well, that depends how you look at it; if the majority of Spaniards had been for the conflict and now voted out the Government because of this bombing then the answer would be 'yes'. But, as the vast majority were opposed to the War, then I think they are simply showing their anger at what has been brought upon them because of their Government's support of Bush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erikl Posted March 16, 2004 #16 Share Posted March 16, 2004 (edited) Please read the following, in order to understand the reasons for the attack: Who’s Next after Madrid? Edited March 16, 2004 by Erikl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillcrazy Posted March 16, 2004 #17 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Are the Spanish cowards? No. I agree 100% Are they bowing to terrorism? Well, that depends how you look at it; if the majority of Spaniards had been for the conflict and now voted out the Government because of this bombing then the answer would be 'yes'. But, as the vast majority were opposed to the War, then I think they are simply showing their anger at what has been brought upon them because of their Government's support of Bush. 80% of the Spanish population didn't agree with being involved with Bush and Iraq. So they voted out the man that put them in this position. Which is what they should do if they do not like where he has taken their country. I don't think they bowed to terrorism per se. But it's not what I think that matters right now. It is how the terrorist are going to read the results of this election. Remeber we're talking about a group that can't even get the message of the Koran right. Stamford, well presented with sound logic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted March 16, 2004 #18 Share Posted March 16, 2004 (edited) I think that one of the greatest weapons in their arsenal is the fact that they could strike anywhere. These people are opportunistic and will strike wherever the security is seen as weak, allowing them to fulfill their purpose of sowing fear around the world. Edited March 16, 2004 by Stamford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted March 16, 2004 #19 Share Posted March 16, 2004 It is how the terrorist are going to read the results of this election. I agree with you stillcrazy and I think these maniacs will get a lot of milage from this. Stamford, well presented with sound logic. Thanks, mate, although with every passing horror this old world of ours chucks out I get a little more depressed and confused. Where are we heading? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillcrazy Posted March 16, 2004 #20 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Erikl, very interesting artical. However I take all news articals with a grain of salt. It's my jaded eye so to speak. I have no doubt that Osama and company, also read these stories to see what we are doing. I do not believe that they have a structured order of attack per se, each target will be attacked but not with any set order. I read between thirty to sixty newspapers a day to see whats going on and how others look at the U.S. And while I also like Israel's reporting, but due to their current situation, I find bias in most of it. No disrespect to you or your country. It happens in all news organizations. (It's the only way you get the government to cooperate with stories) But I still stand by my statement that Osama and his crew are not so much looking to attain a set goal at this time. All they need to do is get the people of certain countries to turn against it's elected officials. Then the real war will begin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychicPenguin Posted March 16, 2004 #21 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Remeber we're talking about a group that can't even get the message of the Koran right. Can anybody help me turning these Koran verses ... Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult or oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. ... into ... Go with bomb tightened arround your body and blow yourself up along with the infidels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted March 16, 2004 #22 Share Posted March 16, 2004 And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. I guess in the eyes of these people the above is still relevant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunarmdscissor Posted March 16, 2004 #23 Share Posted March 16, 2004 totally right stamford. The spanish people just used their democratic right..... The spanish people didnt want the war, now theyve shown what happens when governments think tehy are invincible, also anzar blind blaming almost zealot like of ETA made him look like he was further misleading his people. Why isnt what spain is doing the right thing, What if in going down this route they find a better way of dealing with the obvious hatred of us that exists in the middle east?? Maybe our governments should sit back an take notice of what is happening in spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted March 16, 2004 #24 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Maybe our governments should sit back an take notice of what is happening in spain. It's just a shame Blair won't get kicked out - i'd love to see that smug smile wiped off his face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunarmdscissor Posted March 16, 2004 #25 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Yeah i agree until two words pop into my head "michael howard", i swear tehr would be a rebellion in scotland if he got into power after what he did to us. Maybe gordon brown is our only hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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