On the two and a half year anniversary of the epoch making attacks on Sept. 11, it seems that al-Qaida has struck again in the heart of Spain.
Though reports conflict as to the authors of the attack, there is still fading debate as to whether it was the Basque separatist army, the ETA or al-Qaida, it seems at the moment to be an al-Qaida inspired incident.
Once again it seems that the world’s premier terrorist organization has struck a Western nation.
The first question someone would ask is, why Spain? What have the descendants of Cervantes done to enrage fundamentalist Moslem opinion today?
There are two reasons why it seems likely that al-Qaida would go after Spain.
The first reason is Spain’s support of the Anglo-American, and let’s be honest in calling it mostly America’s, invasion of Iraq (of which, there is something to be said later). Spain’s support of the war, seen at least at the time by many Moslems as an assault on an Islamic culture by western Christians, also brings back memories of the brutal war fought from 711 until 1492, where the Moslems invaded Spain, only to be beaten back over the next 800 years.
The second reason why Spain was likely to be chosen was its proximity to North Africa.
According to Spanish police, three of the five men arrested are Moroccans (the other two are at this point believed to be Indians).
With a short boat ride from Morocco to either Gibraltar or southern Spain, one can leave the East and arrive in the West in a matter of hours.
What does all of this mean, then?
First and foremost, the authors of this act must be brought to justice.
The United States, as well as the member states of the European Union, should do their utmost to assist Spain both as a victim of terrorism and a fallen Western brother. Secondly, I believe it is time for us to take a long hard look at our involvement in the so-called war on terror.
As I write these lines I have another article with me stating that six more US soldiers were killed in roadside bombings this weekend in Iraq.
With the one year anniversary of the Iraq war approaching on the 19th, and the number of American dead still rising (currently at 566), I believe most of us can agree that the Iraq war has not made Americans any safer, or the world any more secure.
Furthermore, I believe that the war was a grievous error, not only tying down American forces in a region where the difference between a regime going democratic or despotic is a crapshoot, but also distracting from our real war on terror, which is to hunt down and destroy al-Qaida.
Still, let us return to Spain.
Naturally, as the cliche goes, our thoughts and prayers are with the Spanish people.
However, what should Spain do to combat this new problem of terror, different from the years of the Basque insurgency?
I would recommend a more thorough screening of all visitors and immigrants to Spain, especially from Moslem countries.
I need not repeat the oft spoken line that “very few people of the Islamic faith embrace this violent creed,” since that in itself is self evident.
However, it’s not Irish tourists who are committing terrorist acts in Spain.
Spain should also consider whether or not their national interest to continue to support American action in the Near East, a decision that has never been popular with the Spanish people.
I will say this, it is still very early on in the case.
The five gentlemen arrested could be completely innocent and the al-Qaida connection could be fraudulent.
Still, the events in Spain show that the world is still a dangerous place, not lessened by our war in Iraq.