THREAT IN EUROPE: Spain's allies, especially those that, like Madrid, backed the US-led war in Iraq, stepped up security yesterday in case the bombers who killed almost 200 people in Spain should strike elsewhere.
Italy, which, like Spain, has troops supporting US occupation forces in Iraq, raised security measures nationwide. "Yesterday a message was sent to town councils, police stations and other civil authorities to heighten their security measures," an Interior Ministry official said.
Poland, which leads a multi-national force in south-central Iraq, boosted security at its borders, and put police on heightened alert. Border crossings, airports, train stations, transport hubs and ports were put under extra scrutiny.
Britain, the principal US ally in Iraq, would neither confirm nor deny that it had taken any new steps."
Spain's neighbour, Portugal, which also backed the invasion of Iraq, drafted in extra paramilitary officers at the Spanish border.
Greece has requested NATO to help guard the Athens Olympics, asking for air and sea patrols as well as protection against nuclear, chemical or biological attacks.
While the request was not directly linked to the Madrid bombings, the Spanish attacks appeared to be the final spur for the government to override domestic opposition to foreign forces protecting the August 13th to August 29th games.
Greece is spending three times as much on security as Sydney did in 2000 because of terrorist fears.
Japan, one of Washington's closest allies in Asia, said authorities needed to be on guard, although officials did not plan any new steps.
The Dutch government said security had been stepped up around Spain's embassy in The Hague and consulate in Amsterdam.
In France, President Jacques Chirac reviewed security with ministers yesterday. France increased security on Thursday, raising its four-step terror alert from its lowest level yellow.
In Germany, which also opposed intervening in Iraq, the Interior Minister, Mr Otto Schily, said he saw no need for security to be stepped up.