Bill's Comment Page

Madrid train bombs - five in custody - discovery of al-Qa'ida videotape claim of responsibility

Angel Acebes, Spanish Interior Minister, says that a videotape has been recovered in which al-Qa'ida claim responsibility for Thursday's outrages, but he cautions that it has not yet been authenticated.

The Interior Minister also confirmed the arrest of five people, three of whom are Moroccan and the remaining two Indian. The suspects links, if any, with Moroccan extremist groups have not yet been confirmed, according to Mr Acebes.

The fog of uncertainty about who has perpetrated these crimes may be lifting, but it would seem the Spanish authorities are being careful before amending their original assumption that Eta is responsible so it seems sensible to await their conclusions before rushing to judgement - even if it is perhaps becoming sickeningly clear that my initial worst fears are being borne out.