Spain looks to mollify US anger over Iraq troop withdrawal (Surrender Monkey Alert)

AFP ^ | 4/21/04 | AFP

[ApesForEvolution]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Spain's visiting foreign minister moved to soothe US anger at the Spanish decision to withdraw troops from Iraq (news - web sites) by promising future cooperation with the United States in the global war on terrorism, Middle East peace efforts and the Balkans.

"We are looking to the future," Miguel Angel Moratinos said after meeting US Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites). "The decision to return the troops (from Iraq) is the decision of yesterday."

Moratinos denied suggestions that his talks with Powell -- which came just two days after Washington scolded Spain for its "abrupt" announcement of its decision to pull its troops out of Iraq -- had been uncomfortable or tense.

"There has been no tension," he said, calling his working lunch with Powell "very successful and positive."

Despite the minister's upbeat assessment, Powell, who normally appears with visiting foreign ministers to address the press, was noticeably absent when Moratinos spoke to reporters at the main State Department entrance after the meeting.

US officials had no immediate comment on the meeting but have been seething since new Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced within hours of taking office over the weekend that he would pull Spain's 1,400 troops from Iraq.

Even before Honduras and the Dominican Republic -- which both have small contingents in Iraq under Spanish command -- followed suit, US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) called Zapatero to express "regret ... the decision to abruptly announce the pullout," the White House said.

Bush also "stressed the importance of carefully considering future actions to avoid giving false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq," spokesman Scott McClellan said on Monday.

Moratinos said Madrid was particularly anxious to assure Washington that it would remain a steadfast ally in the war on terrorism and stabilization and reconstruction efforts underway in Afghanistan (news - web sites).

"The main concern of Secretary of State Powell and myself (is) to convey this message that Spain and the United States will be very, very close allies in order to defeat this blight on humanity," he said.

"We have a strong friendship with the United States and the determination of both administrations is to work together in areas that have a common challenge for all of us," Moratinos said, listing Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Balkans as examples.

Zapatero had vowed following his Socialist Party's election win last month to pull Spanish troops from Iraq unless they come under UN command by June 30 when their mandate expires.

But on Sunday, he ordered his country's troops to withdraw from Iraq "as soon as possible" as he said Madrid's conditions for maintaining the contingent in the US-led coalition appear unlikely to be fulfilled.

Though disappointed with the move, Washington has said it was a sovereign decision and urged Spain to coordinate the pull-out with the US-led coalition in order to prevent any disruptions on the ground.

Moratinos said the withdrawal would be done in such a way that would "avoid weakening or diminishing the international coalition."

[ApesForEvolution]

Just because these idiots, like their islamocommiefascist buddies in France and Germany, want to build another Soviet Union and let the islamists call the shots, why do we have to deal with them? For us or against us, they are NOT to be trusted or dealt with. Their people spoke, and now we know the answer and can move on knowing which side they are on...

[ApesForEvolution]

BTW, this was up briefly and then could not easily be found again...hmmm.

[Guillermo]

"We are looking to the future," of our men bowing down to Mecca 5 times a day, our women dressed in a full burka, our Churches converted into Mosques and our children learning that Jews are noting but monkeys and pigs.

[Cicero]

Well. I don't see that we have any choice but to tell Spain, very politely, to stuff it until they have a new government.

[colorado tanker]

Let's just say Prime Minister Zap isn't going to be getting an invitation to the Ranch anytime soon.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Already a muslim group seeks to use the Catholic church in Cordoba. I submit that the Spanish president is looking into the past, not into the future.

[correctthought]

I hear Colin Powell is from Missouri.... at least figuratively.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Córdoba, Spain; Cathedral May See Return of Muslims

[68skylark]

Here's a quote from another article:

Prime Minister Koizumi simply refused to “go Spanish” in the face of terror threats against his citizens.

It's good to know we have steadfast friends like Japan, the UK, Australia and others who don't "go Spanish" when the going gets a little rough.

[ALASKA]

While they "are looking to the future", I think we should "look the other way" next time they are hit.

[livius]

Particularly in view of yesterday's reports in the Spanish press that the Spanish withdrawal from Iraq may have been coordinated in secret meetings with Al Sadr (the Spaniards were responsible for Najaf).

This hasn't been proven yet in other sources, but if it's true, we should never trust the Socialists ever again. The non-Socialist sector of Spanish press today is saying that Spain's credibility in the world has been permanently damaged, and I fear they are right.

[blanknoone]

I think the US needs to play diplomatic hardball. And by that, I don't mean back room diplomacy. We need a State Department rep to answer questions at a press conference something along the lines of:

"No, it will take years for the US to have a healthy diplomatic relationship with france after their dastardly, cowardly and outright lying in the lead up to the Iraq war. We give trust...but only until it is betrayed. The french betrayed us, as well as the principles of international diplomacy and the principles which underpin western civilization."

"The terrorists need to know that America will never 'go Spanish' and retreat and try to appease their evil. We will never negotiate with evil, and never alter our just course of action to try to meet their demands. "

"It is easy for allies to betray each other when not directly threatened. In the post WWII era, America could have retreated behind the Atlantic and left Europe to its Soviet fate. But we stood on principle. bin Laden seeks to divide the forces of civilization because he is losing. The french, Germans and now the Spanish are now doing his bidding."

"American troops were stationed in Europe to protect them from the Soviet threat. That threat is gone, and now so are our troops." (That includes Bosnia)

[Guillermo]

Si, lo vei.

Next, the Mohammedans will demand that shops close during their prayer time.

Soon, the appeasers will learn the Muslims won't be happy till the place they live in is an Islamic country.

But that will simply want to make them appease them even more.

[ken5050]

This may NOT be the final chapter....Look, the ETA has been blowing up things in Spain for 50 years..over 1000 killed...they've tried to be "good" terrorists"..even to the extent that they've called the media in advance to tell where the bombs are....to save lives..and what has it got them..NADA..so here comes AQ..a few big bombs, hundreds killed, and AQ wins BIG...so, if you don't think that ETA has figured it out..well....you can expect some big bombs in Spain..with renewed calls for Basque secession...the country change

[chimera]

Sounds like they're still playing the appeasement game. Hey, they can do what they want to do, hang tough or cut and run. They've decided to run. But don't try to smooth it over or sugarcoat it. They've made it clear what their intentions are. They're going the Chamberlain route, and that's Spain's choice as a nation. So I say to them, do what you gotta do and STFU, and especially don't try to throw anyone any bones.

[ChinaThreat]

I assume you live in Alaska and I am envious. It is the last vestige of the American spirit. I LOVE ALASKA!!!!!

[ApesForEvolution]

And just when I had located a couple of fine Spanish wines to do my part for their economy...the Euro-Islamic Union is well on it's way.

[cwb]

""We are looking to the future"

So are the Muslims as they retake your land, which they believe to be theirs. The future is closer than you think...thanks to your appeasement.

[Ben Chad]

Dear Spain,

You made your bed. Now sleep in it.

BC