Madrid police chief undermines gov't line on bombs (Aznar lied)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08585793.htm

MADRID, July 8 (Reuters) - Investigators knew Islamic militants carried out the Madrid train bombings less than 48 hours after the blasts, a police chief said on Thursday, undermining the then-government's version of events.

Miguel Angel Fernandez, national chief of police for the capital city, told a parliamentary hearing into the bombings investigators were working on the Islamic trail by Friday, and were sure it was the right one in the early hours of Saturday.

"The key point was early morning on Friday ... when a clear line of investigation emerged. By the early hours of Saturday we could already say 'this was how it went'. Before that other hypotheses were possible," Fernandez said.

The issue of who police thought was to blame early in the probe matters politically because the government's haste in blaming Basque separatists ETA was one of the factors that brought down the ruling party in elections three days after the bombings.

more

[MallRat]

1. READ THAT 4TH PARAGRAPH AGAIN, FOLKS.

The issue of who police thought was to blame early in the probe matters politically because the government's haste in blaming Basque separatists ETA was one of the factors that brought down the ruling party in elections three days after the bombings.

THIS is why Spain threw out Aznar. It wasn't because of the bombing itself- it was because AZNAR LIED ABOUT THE BOMBING!

Spanish voters didn't suddenly get weak-kneed in the face of terror. They simply wanted a government that they could trust.

We need to get this meme out there, fast. Are we going to stand around helplessly while this Administration turns the word 'Madrid' INTO A VERB?

"The terrorists didn't cost Aznar the election. AZNAR'S LIES cost Aznar the election!"

-MR

[Eloriel]

2. Absolutely -- we knew that from the beginning

It was well reported here, overseas (I'm sure), but NOT in mainstream U.S. media, which has allowed the Bush admin to seize on the meme that the terrorists caused the Azner party to fall. WRONG!! The Azner party was also going down even before the bombing -- they were behind in the polls prior to that.

[Judi Lynn]

3. It CAN'T be emphasized nearly enough

considering ALL the mileage _Bush has tried to get from the false version already.

More from the article:

The government, however, insisted ETA were possible suspects if not the prime suspects until about 7 p.m. on election eve, when the first arrests of Islamic militants were announced, and did not give up the ETA theory entirely until after midnight.

A backlash against the hasty claim -- politically more expedient for the government -- sparked nationwide protests against the ruling party, which lost the election to the Socialists in a major upset.
(snip)

Thanks to Don for this OUTSTANDING news.

[thecrow]

4. Send this paragraph

in a letter to Tom Ridge, would someone... Please?

[NNN0LHI]

5. kick because it is important n/t