By Nicola Smith - 14th March 2004
Germany has called for an urgent meeting of interior ministers in response to the terror attack on Madrid last week.
If the involvement of Al Qaeda is confirmed in the bombings which killed nearly 200 and injured around 1500 people, Europe’s leaders know they will be facing a new level of security threat on EU territory.
“If it is confirmed that the Madrid attacks have an Islamic background, it means that Islamic terrorism in Europe has taken on a new quality,” said German Interior Minister Otto Schilly.
The Spanish authorities are trying to verify a videotape found in a bin which claims that Al Qaeda masterminded the carnage, prompting fears that Spain was targeted for its support for the US-led war in Iraq.
Following a meeting of its national security cabinet, Berlin on Sunday urged the Irish presidency of the EU to convene an emergency meeting before EU leaders gather at a keynote Brussels summit on March 25-26.
Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt has called for measures to tighten anti-terrorism cooperation – including a centre to gather intelligence – to be adopted at the summit.
The EU will also appoint an anti-terrorism supremo to work under foreign policy chief Javier Solana, sources told Reuters.
The growing signs of Al Qaeda’s first strike in the West since the September 11 attacks have sent a chill of fear across Europe.
After Thursday’s bombings, which struck three commuter trains during the morning rush hour, European countries have swiftly begun to shore up the implications for security in public places.
Across the EU, from Brussels to Warsaw police patrols at railway stations and airports have been stepped up and Spanish embassies have been given extra protection.
Italy and Poland – also key allies to the US and UK during the Iraq war – have said they have intensified national security.
France, whose railways have recently already come under threat from a shadowy group claiming to have planted bombs along the tracks, has boosted its security level to “red”, the second highest grade.
Rubbish bins have been sealed off in the Paris underground and travellers have been banned from storing luggage in the racks near to exits.
Paris has also indicated it will tighten its borders with Spain, as has neighbouring country Portugal.
Lisbon has said it will increase security for teams deemed to be at risk during the Euro 2004 football championships which begin on June 12.
Nerves are already starting to fray in Greece over the massive security clampdown required for the 2004 Olympics in Athens this summer.
NATO has been called in to help protect athletes and spectators through maritime and aerial assistance.
Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt told the RTBF television station on Sunday that there was no indication of a “specific” threat to the EU quarter and NATO but that the situation would be kept under review.
The Irish Presidency of the EU has called for Europe to down tools and observe three minutes silence in memory of the victims of the Madrid bombings on Monday at 12.00 noon CET.
European Commission chief Romano Prodi will be leading the silent protest at the heart of the Brussels EU quarter at the rond-point Schuman.
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