ALLEGED ISLAMIC TERRORIST PLAN TO LAUNCH

S E C R E T MADRID 004713 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/IP/EUR, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, CA/OCS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2014 TAGS: PTER ASEC CASC SUBJECT: ALLEGED ISLAMIC TERRORIST PLAN TO LAUNCH LARGE-SCALE ATTACK IN SPAIN REF: TD-314/68580-04 Classified By: RANDALL BENNETT, RSO MADRID FOR REASONS 1.4 (D) ¶1. (U) The American Embassy Spain Emergency Action Committee met on December 14, 2004, in response to REFTEL in order to assess the current situation and exchange perspectives on the possible threat. ¶2. (S) The EAC noted that parts of the information were relatively specific such as the parameters for timing and the nationality of the individuals involved, but that other aspects seemed to be too expansive and all-inclusive such as listing every possible method of attack and bringing into the threat the March 11 Spain train bombing "magnitude of damage" and even the recent Jeddah Consulate attack. In addition, the alleged attackers included a list of nationalities to include most countries of current radical Islamic threat in the region. ¶3. (S) ORA mentioned that their Source for the information had advised them not to over-react to the information and stated that they would continue investigating the original Source in Damascus who walked-in to their Spanish Embassy to reveal this information, and would advise ORA of further results. ¶4. (S) The EAC conveyed concerns about the possibility of conflict with the "no double standard" policy since the Source information specifically mentioned American citizens in Madrid and American interests. Under the current circumstances, and with the unknown validity of the Source, the EAC felt that a Warden Notice conveying the concern for recent and frequent Al-Qaida cell arrests in Spain and the escalation of ETA bombings in Spain and Madrid specifically, in conjunction with concerns for the intensive holiday shopping crowds, would justify a reason for sending out the Notice. ¶5. (U) Embassy elements will continue to monitor this evolving situation and will report anything further as it develops. MANZANARES