Cablegate: Spain/Eta: Security Forces Find Large Explosives

VZCZCXRO3045
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #1244 1731114
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221114Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2852
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 2848

UNCLAS MADRID 001244

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN/ETA: SECURITY FORCES FIND LARGE EXPLOSIVES
CACHE

1. (U) On June 21 Spanish media outlets reported that 130
kilos of explosives (reportedly enough to make eight bombs)
were found in Huelva, Spain, two kilometers from the
Portuguese border, in an abandoned Ford Focus allegedly
belonging to the Basque terrorist group ETA. The vehicle
contained detonators, timers, and one remote control. Daily
ABC reported that Spanish security forces may have foiled a
delivery to an ETA command cell that would be based in the
popular Portuguese tourist destination of Algarve, and would
support a chain of summer attacks against tourist interests
in Andalucia.

2. (U) National Police and the Civil Guard have been on high
alert since ETA's June 6 rupture of its "permanent"
cease-fire. They have further reinforced security in the
likelihood that ETA has set up other commands for attacks
throughout Spain.

3. (U) Daily El Pais reported that President Zapatero
congratulated Spanish security forces for their work and a
CiU (the leading Catalan regional party) spokesperson said
that all Spanish political parties will stand by the Spanish
government in their efforts against ETA.
AGUIRRE

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