PROPOSED PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - SPAIN

UNCLAS MADRID 001131

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/OCS/ACS/EUR: KIM CHRISTMAN AND CINDY WOOD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC SP PTER
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - SPAIN



1. Summary: Below is the text of a proposed public
announcement for Spain. The EAC met today and
determined that an updated Public Announcement was
warranted in light of the discovery of a bomb on the
rail line used by the high speed train connecting
Madrid and Seville earlier today. End Summary.


2. Begin Text of Public Announcement:

This Public Announcement is being issued to update U.S.
citizens on the situation in Spain. It will expire on
July 2, 2004.
On April 2, 2004, railroad authorities and the Spanish
Civil Guard discovered a ten-kilo bomb on the train
tracks between Seville and Madrid on the high speed
"AVE" train line.
A series of bombs were detonated on commuter trains in
the Madrid area and at the Atocha station on Thursday,
March 11, 2004, resulting in many deaths and injuries.
At least three Americans were among the injured. In
December 2003 and February 2004, Spanish authorities
thwarted other potential attacks by intercepting
explosives and apprehending suspects believed to be
targeting Spanish transportation lines.
These recent terrorist incidents involving threats to
public transportation, specifically railroads, indicate
the need for U.S. citizens in Spain to remain alert and
to exercise special caution in using these public
transportation services.
Americans living in Spain, and those contemplating
travel to Spain, should review the Consular Information
Sheet for Spain and Andorra and review the Worldwide
Caution of March 23, 2004, at http://travel.state.gov
or at the U.S. Embassy website on http://www.embusa.es
and monitor news broadcasts. Callers in the United
States and Canada may reach the U.S. State Department,
Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747
or from outside the US and Canada call 317-472-2328.

End proposed text

Argyros