Doubts About Al-Qaida Connection

Western intelligence analysts have begun to cast serious doubt on the initial claims of responsibility for the Madrid bombing.

"Western intelligence analysts doubt the credibility of a purported Al Qaida group that has threatened new attacks in Europe.

Yigal Carmon, president of the Washington-based Middle East Media Research Institute and counter-terrorism adviser to three prime ministers, said the Abu Hafs statement does not represent Al Qaida.

"The text of this statement includes linguistic usages and concepts that are incompatible with or alien to authentic Al Qaida writings by Osama Bin Laden, Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri, and others," Carmon wrote in an analysis."

The investigation now points to a Moroccan terrorist cell which has struck before, targeting primarily Jews.