Terrorists give Spain a truce. Spain advised to view it as temporary.
There are several reasons to doubt the sincerity of the terrorists’ offer of a truce to Spain in the wake of the Madrid bombing—one of the most incredible victories for terrorism ever.
The murderous fanatics released a statement.
In its statement, Abu Hafs al-Masri said it was calling a truce in Spain to give the socialist government that was elected Sunday, three days after the train attacks, time to carry out its pledge to withdraw troops from Iraq.
The group appeared to boast it had the power to change governments.
“We change and destroy countries,” the statement said. “We even influence the international economy.”
(The terrorists also claimed to support Bush over Kerry in the US presidential election. That is an obvious lie.)
I would guess that the statement used the Arabic word “hudna,” and that was translated into “truce.” It is widely noted that throughout history, Muslims have used hudna as a tactic to gain temporary respite against a superior enemy so that strength may be gathered over time to deliver a conquering blow later in time. (†)
Some have said that the Arabic word hudna should not be translated as “truce.” I disagree. “Truce” means temporary cessation of conflict. We just need to keep fresh in our mind that a truce is temporary. To end a war, you need what is formally called a “peace agreement.” Note that the terrorists have never offered or suggested any peace agreement. They only offer truces, and only then when they are weak.
Even if Spain withdraws from Iraq, the terrorists will eventually come for Spain again. As the terrorist front group Abu Hafs al Masri Brigades said after the Madrid attack, “This is part of a longstanding settling of scores with Crusader Spain.” (‡) The Moors were driven out of Spain in 1492 AD in the Reconquista, a long campaign associated with the Crusades to defend Christendom.
In Al Qaeda’s official declaration of responsibility, Spain’s involvement in Afghanistan is also invoked as the terrorists’ cause for war. “This is a response to the crimes that you have caused in the world, and specifically in Iraq and Afghanistan.” (§) Spain stood with the US against terror after 9/11, and Spain has contributed to the Afghan campaign.
Exiting the Iraq campaign will not give Spain security. The terrorists will fight until Spain exits Afghanistan and the Iberian peninsula is controlled by radical Muslims.
Update: 20 March 2004. Minor changes. Additionally, Robert Spencer says that “Islamic law allows mujahedin to agree to a truce only for a temporary period, when they are weak, in order to gather their strength and fight again more effectively.” (**)