Spain and U.S. at Odds on Mistaken Terror Arrest

[Snellius]

Portland, Ore., June 3 — Two weeks after United States authorities cleared a Portland-area lawyer of any connection to the deadly terrorist bombing in Madrid, high-level Spanish law enforcement officials who were also involved in the investigation are challenging key aspects of the United States' version of events in the case, touching off a muddy dispute between the two allies and painting a portrait of F.B.I. officials who repeatedly rejected evidence that they had the wrong man.

Much of the disagreement between the two countries continues to center on the fingerprints lifted from a blue plastic bag discovered near the scene of the March 11 bombing, which killed 191 people and left 2,000 injured in the deadliest terrorist attack in Europe since World War II. F.B.I. officials once maintained the prints matched those of the American lawyer, Brandon Mayfield, and at one point told federal prosecutors that Spanish law enforcement officials were "satisfied" with their conclusion.

But in interviews this week, Spanish officials vehemently denied ever backing up that assessment, saying they had told American law enforcement officials from the start, after their own tests, that the match was negative. The Spanish officials said their American counterparts relentlessly pressed their case anyway, explaining away stark proof of a flawed link — including what the Spanish described as tell-tale forensic signs — and seemingly refusing to accept the notion that they were mistaken.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/05/national/05LAWY.html?hp

[Barrett808]

1. The lunatics are running the asylum n/t

[Leilani]

2. We are at odds with the world

...is this news?

I think Ashcroft jumped the gun because he wanted to have another terrorist press conference.

[mitchtv]

3. let's see... The Spanish don't want to be blamed

by the misleader. Some one here made the mistake.They are well aware of Chimp and his sideshow.

[DBoon]

4. When in doubt, blame someone

Worry about whether it was the right person later - after their life has been ruined.

[struggle4progress]

5. The Spanish were wise to say "No thanks!" when ...

the F.B.I. offered to come and help with the bombing investigation.