The Spanish government told its ambassadors to spread the word that armed Basque separatist group ETA was to blame for the Madrid bombings within hours of the attacks, a leading newspaper reported today.
"You should use any opportunity to confirm Eta's responsibility for these brutal attacks, thus helping to dissipate any type of doubt that certain interested
parties may want to promote," El Pais quoted Foreign Minister Ana Palacio as writing in a memo.
Officials could not be immediately reached for comment on the report in a paper linked to the opposition Socialists.
Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's government was quick to point to Eta as its prime suspect, but suspicions have also emerged that Muslim militants may have been behind the attack.
As well as the huge security implications, pinning down responsibility is crucial to tomorrow's general election.
If Eta is to blame, that could benefit the ruling party because of its tough stance against the Basque separatists. But if there was al Qaeda or other radical Islamic involvement, it may be viewed as the price of Mr Aznar's support for war in Iraq.
El Pais said Ms Palacio's internal memo, sent at around 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, quoted earlier statements by Interior Minister Angel Acebes.
"The Interior Minister has confirmed Eta's responsibility. This is confirmed by the explosive and style used, as well as other information that has not yet been made public for obvious reasons," the text said, according to the newspaper.
Since then, the Spanish government has seemed less certain, affirming Eta remains its main line of investigation but saying it is also pursuing other theories.