Crime warning on U.S. State Department site upsets Madrid hoteliers

MADRID, Spain - Madrid hoteliers are accusing the U.S. State Department of exaggerating the extent of muggings and violent crime in the city and calling on it to withdraw a consular warning to American tourists.<br> <br> Jesus Gatell Pamies, president of the Madrid Hotel Association, conceded in comments published Monday by the newspaper El Pais that increasing crime was &#34;a very sad reality of some Spanish cities.&#34;<br> <br> But he added that the warning published in February on the State Department&#39;s Web site was &#34;excessive&#34; and asked the United States to withdraw the report.<br> <br> Gatell Pamies said the higher crime rates don&#39;t pose a particular risk for American tourists, who account for about 20 percent of visitors to the capital, Madrid.<br> <br> According to the State Department, &#34;Madrid and Barcelona, in particular, have reported growing incidents of muggings and violent attacks.&#34;<br> <br> It added that the crimes occur at all times of day and night in key tourist areas: near the Prado Museum and Atocha train station, and areas of old Madrid like the Puerta del Sol plaza, El Rastro flea market and the old royal courtyard Plaza Mayor.<br> <br> According to the Madrid prosecutor&#39;s office, the overall crime rate rose 10.9 percent from 2000 to 2001, mainly because of increases in homicides, armed robberies, car theft and petty offenses.<br>

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