| France increases border checks after spanish blasts { March 11 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=473936§ion=newshttp://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=473936§ion=news
France increases border checks after Spanish blasts Thu March 11, 2004 07:35 AM ET
BORDEAUX, France (Reuters) - French police have increased checks on vehicles at its border with Spain after explosions on packed trains killed 173 people in Madrid. Police said they were checking all vehicles crossing into France and paying particular attention to heavy goods vehicles. The checks had led to queues on the A63 motorway at the border town of Biriatou, a police official said.
French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy also sent a telegram to his Spanish counterpart Angel Acebes with an offer of police help.
French and Spanish police have cooperated closely during a recent crackdown on ETA Basque separatist guerrillas who want a separate homeland and consider this includes part of southwestern France.
Government officials have blamed Thursday's blasts on ETA, which is branded by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organisation. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts.
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