- Title: SPAIN: Americans in Madrid shrug off terror alert fears
- Date: 4th October 2010
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 3, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PLAZA DEL SOL SQUARE IN MADRID
- Embargoed: 19th October 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Travel / Tourism
- Reuters ID: LVAAFZQU8Y4OV0POXNOVZI1L5PM0
- Story Text: The United States alerted Americans on Sunday (Oct. 3) to be vigilant as they travel in Europe in light of intelligence pointing to threatened attacks by al Qaeda militants.
A plot to stage coordinated attacks in Europe was disrupted in its early stages by drone strikes against militants in Pakistan, but it was not clear if the threat was fully erased, security sources said last week.
Americans vacationing in the Spanish capital, Madrid, were vigilant but not unduly concerned about security.
"My feeling is that, you know, we have to we vigilant everywhere We have been here for three weeks now and we haven´t seen any problems, haven´t felt unsafe in any ways. So, we just enjoyed ourselves," Anne Marie, who had travelled from Arizona to visit Spain for three weeks, told Reuters.
"So far, when I´ve been here, I really haven´t had a problem or felt nervous about things. But as far as back in 2002 when there was an attack in Madrid, coming to Madrid and kind of being in some areas where things have previously happened before has kind of put me kind of on edge to be aware and watch out for for things," Christina, a student from Iowa, added.
"I´m not too concerned as I travel personally with threats like that because, you know what? Like yeah, I´m sure people have concerns and what not; people may be afraid but I really don´t think there is any reason to," Ray, from Lousiana and on a student trip to Palma, said.
U.S. and UK officials are understood to have been in contact over the possibility of a broad alert being issued - perhaps as early as today.
The move could have significant implications for tourism across Europe, with tourist sites and transport hubs expected to be highlighted as potential danger spots.
However, reports suggested the warning was likely to be vague and urge people to exercise caution rather than cancelling travel plans altogether.
The warning comes after intelligence officials in Britain intercepted a credible Islamist-linked terror plot last week.
The planned attack would reportedly have been similar to the deadly commando-style raids in Mumbai, India, two years ago, with other European cities, in France and Germany, also targeted.
There has been speculation that Osama bin Laden could be masterminding the latest plots personally.
On Friday, Sweden announced it has raised its threat alert to the highest level ever because of an increased threat of terror attacks.
A Home Office spokeswoman confirmed that the UK's terror threat rating remained at "severe", the second highest rating, where it has been since increasing from "substantial" in January.
There has been an upsurge in U.S. drone raids in Pakistan in recent weeks as NATO targets Islamic militants.
The U.S. has carried out at least 25 drone strikes so far this month in Pakistan's tribal areas - the highest monthly total for the past six years, U.S. media reported.
U.S. officials have been pushing Pakistan to increase their search for al Qaida militants, who are believed to be hiding in a mountainous border region in the country. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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