Japan alert on terror attack after Madrid blasts

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 12, 2004

Japan alert on terror attack after Madrid blasts

Japan voiced alert Friday against terrorism attacks following serious blasts in Madrid on Thursday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Japan voiced alert Friday against terrorism attacks following serious blasts in Madrid on Thursday.

"We must be careful about terrorism," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters.

Koizumi warned it is impossible to rule out the possibility that Japan could suffer similar terrorist attacks given that such incidents can occur anywhere in the world.

The coordinated rush-hour bomb attacks targeting Madrid railwaysystem have killed nearly 200 people. Although Spain blamed the incident on domestic Basque separatist group ETA, the infamous terrorist group al-Qaida was reportedly behind it. A London-based Arabic newspaper said it had received a claim of responsibility inthe name of al-Qaida. The letter also threatened similar actions against some US allies, including Japan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda declined to comment on thereport at a press conference. He said Japan had taken sufficient measures to prevent terrorism and will prevent terrorists from discovering any opportunities.

Japan has reportedly been targeted by al-Qaida for its support on US-led invasion in Iraq. It's Self-Defense Forces troops are posted in southern Iraqi city of Samawah for reconstruction. Two Japanese diplomats were killed by unidentified gunmen in November in northern Iraq.

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

At least 173 killed in Madrid rail blasts

Blasts hit Madrid railway station, several dead

Indian navy to have two aircraft carriers by 2011 ( 4 Messages)

What's the meaning of Bush & Blair nominated as candidates for Nobel Peace Prize? ( 31 Messages)

Study: Americans eating themselves to death ( 7 Messages)

Japanese PM's remark on shrine visit leads to long-term cold relations with China: Kyodo ( 10 Messages)

French Presidents' China complex ( 4 Messages)