EU leaders attend Madrid memorial

EU leaders are to gather in Madrid today at a state funeral for the 190 victims of the Madrid train bombings.

More than 1400 people were also injured in the blasts that ripped through four commuter trains during the morning rush hour on March 11.

European Commission vice-President Neil Kinnock will be representing the European Union along with Spanish Commissioners Pedro Solbes and Loyola de Palacio.

Government leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Portugal and Poland will be attending and Washington has sent US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Spanish police have detained five Moroccans, two Indians and a Spaniard in connection with the bombings.

Three Moroccans currently stand accused of planning and carrying out the attacks.

Spanish judges believe the suspects may belong to the extremist group that carried out the bombing in Casablanca last year that killed 45 people. Links to Al Qaida have not been ruled out.

Today's ceremony will also give newly elected Spanish Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero his first opportunity for diplomatic talks with his European counterparts.

Spain's threat to withdraw its troops from Iraq and progress on the EU constitution are expected to dominate discussions.

 

• Previous article
• Next article