Terrorist attack in Bulgaria could be escalation of 'dirty war' - PublicServiceEurope.com

European Union leaders have expressed shock at the suspected terrorist attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, which resulted in the death of at least seven people and another 30 being injured. High Representative for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said she was "appalled" by the bomb explosion at Burgas Airport and would do all she could to ensure that the perpetrators were "brought to justice". She added: "What should have been the beginning of a happy holiday ended in murder. I send my condolences to the families of all those killed. Many more have been injured. We wish them a speedy recovery. The EU utterly condemns all acts of terrorism, wherever they take place."

Having contacted her Bulgarian counterpart to express support and pledge the help of Europol in finding the terrorists, who were suspected of planting a device on an airport coach carrying tourists that had just arrived from Israel, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrm said: "The European Commission reiterates its strong commitment to stand beside EU Member States in fighting against these barbaric acts and in bringing the perpetrators to justice."

The blast coincided with the 18th anniversary of an attack on the headquarters of Argentina's main Jewish organisation by an Iranian-backed Hezbollah suicide bomber. It killed 85 people. Some reports suggest the bomber, or bombers, in Bulgaria were carrying United States identification. European Parliament President Martin Schulz labelled the Bulgaria attack as "cowardly" and "barbaric", adding: "A full investigation by Bulgarian and Israeli authorities is ongoing into the incident, which killed citizens from both nations. The latest reports confirm that this was indeed a terrorist attack, which I condemn unreservedly. Those that carried out this barbaric terrorist attack must be brought to justice." Israel and Bulgaria are known to have close relations dating back to the Second World War. American President Barack Obama also described the incident as a "barbaric terrorist attack", while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of being behind the explosion.

In a statement, he said: "All the signs lead to Iran. Israel will respond forcefully to Iranian terror." Burgas airport was closed yesterday and flights were being diverted to Varna. It is not the first time Israeli tourists have been targeted in other countries around the world. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: ""The full tragedy of the attacks is not yet clear, but I would like to express my condolences to the friends and family of those injured and killed"

Meanwhile, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also offered strong condemnation of the attack, adding: "Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations can never be tolerated or justified." And Dr Trita Parsi, founder of the National Iranian American Council think-tank, said Netanyahu was right to implicate the government in Tehran as the most "likely suspect". But Parsi suggested that the attack might be retaliation for Israel escalating the intelligence was with Iran over the last two years - by allegedly assassinating Iranian civilian scientists and senior military officials.

"Former Israeli intelligence officers have, in numerous interviews, hinted that Israel indeed conducted the attacks - arguing that assassinations, computer viruses and sabotage was more effective in stopping the Iranian nuclear program than open warfare," he said. "Iran is believed to have tried to retaliate against these attacks, but most of its efforts have been thwarted by Israeli intelligence.

"But if Iran is behind the bombing of the Bulgarian bus, then this is a form of escalation. Iran has failed to successfully target harder Israeli targets, such as diplomats and officials. Consequently, it appears that Tehran has shifted its focus to softer targets. Targeting unwitting tourists is much easier than security-conscious officials.

"If this is the case, the ongoing dirty war between Israel and Iran may be getting out of control. With the attack on the Bulgarian bus, the arrest of a Lebanese-Swedish man in Cyprus this week accused of planning attacks against Israeli civilians, and the United States Navy's killing of an Indian fisherman whose boats got to close the US ship in the Persian Gulf, the situation is clearly tense and all the ingredients of a repeat of the shots in Sarajevo in 1914 seem to be in place. It's been a very hot summer, and absent some courageous and deliberate de-escalation, it may soon get much hotter."

Chairman of the European People's Party group in the European Parliament Joseph Daul MEP said: ""Nothing can justify terrorism. I am convinced that the Bulgarian authorities will do their utmost to help Israeli citizens and the necessary investigation to bring those responsible for this criminal act to justice." Socialists and Democrats group president Hannes Swoboda added: "Our sympathy and solidarity go out to the Israeli people under the dark shadow of this outrageous attack on innocent civilians, including children." And Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe chairman and Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore said: "Such an attack makes it more clear than ever how important a united front and cooperation are to combat the scourge of terrorism, which knows no borders."