US embassy cable - 04MADRID4713

S E C R E T MADRID 004713 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/IP/EUR, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, CA/OCS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2014 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, CASC, Counterterrorism 
SUBJECT: ALLEGED ISLAMIC TERRORIST PLAN TO LAUNCH 
LARGE-SCALE ATTACK IN SPAIN 
 
REF: TD-314/68580-04 
 
Classified By: RANDALL BENNETT, RSO MADRID FOR REASONS 1.4 (D) 
 
1.  (U) The American Embassy Spain Emergency Action Committee 
met on December 14, 2004, in response to REFTEL in order to 
assess the current situation and exchange perspectives on the 
possible threat. 
 
2.  (S) The EAC noted that parts of the information were 
relatively specific such as the parameters for timing and the 
nationality of the individuals involved, but that other 
aspects seemed to be too expansive and all-inclusive such as 
listing every possible method of attack and bringing into the 
threat the March 11 Spain train bombing "magnitude of damage" 
and even the recent Jeddah Consulate attack.  In addition, 
the alleged attackers included a list of nationalities to 
include most countries of current radical Islamic threat in 
the region. 
 
3.  (S) ORA mentioned that their Source for the information 
had advised them not to over-react to the information and 
stated that they would continue investigating the original 
Source in Damascus who walked-in to their Spanish Embassy to 
reveal this information, and would advise ORA of further 
results. 
 
4.  (S) The EAC conveyed concerns about the possibility of 
conflict with the "no double standard" policy since the 
Source information specifically mentioned American citizens 
in Madrid and American interests.  Under the current 
circumstances, and with the unknown validity of the Source, 
the EAC felt that a Warden Notice conveying the concern for 
recent and frequent Al-Qaida cell arrests in Spain and the 
escalation of ETA bombings in Spain and Madrid specifically, 
in conjunction with concerns for the intensive holiday 
shopping crowds, would justify a reason for sending out the 
Notice. 
 
5.  (U) Embassy elements will continue to monitor this 
evolving situation and will report anything further as it 
develops. 
MANZANARES