Election Outcome Will Not Affect Spain's Commitment to Fight Terrorism, says Powell

VOA News ^ | 3/15/04 | David Gollust

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Secretary of State Colin Powell says he does not think the defeat of Spain's pro-U.S. Popular Party in Sunday's elections will mean any lessening of that country's commitment to fight terrorism. The winning Socialists had made Spain's contribution of 1,300 troops to Iraq an election issue. Mr. Powell says he has not been able to fully analyze the Spanish election results and whether last Thursday's devastating terrorist attacks in the Madrid area had anything to do with the outcome.

But in a talk with reporters enroute to New Delhi, the Secretary said he did not believe the outcome would undercut that country's role in combating terrorism:

"Terrorism has to be defeated, and I don't think the Spanish people are any more inclined to give any encouragement to terrorists, or to give terrorists the slightest impression that they are not going to be engaged fully by the Spanish government, no matter who is Prime Minister or what party has formed the leading coalition," said Mr. Powell. "Spain has been beset by terrorists for many decades and they have been fighting terrorism long before it got on the international screen with 9/11."

The Bush administration had forged close ties with the Popular Party government of outgoing Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, and his successor as party leader Mariano Rajoy had pledged to adhere to Mr. Aznar's policies, including keeping Spain's 1,300 troops in Iraq.

Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero by contrast criticized the troop presence and pledged to withdraw them by summer unless there was a new United Nations mandate.

In his airborne talk with reporters, Mr. Powell said he would await the post-election position of the new Spanish government, but said a new U.N. Security Council resolution has been under consideration of some time.

He said the circumstances in Iraq will be "fundamentally changed" with the official end of the U.S.-led occupation June 30 and the handover of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi administration, and that it may be "quite appropriate" to update the existing mandate under Resolution 15-11.

He said the United States is working with the Iraqi Governing Council and the United Nations to structure a "proper" role for the U.N. after the transfer, though the matter is not completely resolved.

[raloxk]

In other news today Hell recorded an all time record low tempreture of 0 degrees F.

[Moose4]

Obligatory statement from the Secretary of State. He HAS to say diplomatic BS like this, even when we know that in all likelihood Spain is rapidly headed Weasel-ward under its new government.

}:-)4

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I just your article and thought this might be of interest.

[BigSkyFreeper]

If in fact this is what Powell believes, I think Powell may be prematurely jumping to conclusions. It's too early to tell, when in fact the incoming President vows to withdraw the 1,300 troops already in Iraq by a June 30th deadline.

Terrorism doesn't wait for headlines or deadlines. Once Spain joins the Axis Of Weasels, the terrorists will be rejoicing loudly.

[ItsMyVoteDammit]

This was a VOA news item on their site before the election yesterday.

[Plutarch]

Communist Revolution Will Not Affect China's Commitment to Fight Soviets, says Marshall.

[Keith]

Actually, Powell may be right. I was stunned to see the number of European newspapers who said, something to the effect of, "You know, we still hate Bush, but the Americans are right...this is a global war, and we gotta get on the right side and get fighting now."

The new Spanish PM was very shrewd...he left himself an out...the Spanish troops will NOT be pulled if the UN takes more control. Hell, we have been trying to get the UN to do that for months...so if Powell has Annan on board, then this will, in the end, end up being less of an earthshaking event...and may even help us get the UN on board. I think the fact that the French and Germans seem to "get this" a little better now, make UN involvement, along the lines we have been seeking, more likely. Short term, victory for the terrorists; longer term, this will work in Bush's favor if the quiet diplomacy Powell has been working on pays off.

Keep watching the French and German media...the worm may have turned...and I also think Kerry's stupid statement about "foreign leaders" was embarassingly impolitic and may work in Bush's favor as well. Trust me, Bush knows who Kerry is referring to...and the Europeans already know that Bush has a long memory on those leaders who cross him...ask all those French companies who were expecting to get some Iraqi contracts after the war...

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Hell, we have been trying to get the UN to do that for months...so if Powell has Annan on board, then this will, in the end, end up being less of an earthshaking event...and may even help us get the UN on board.

I did consider this, but even more so, the consequences to Kerry... if in fact that occurs.

[conservativecorner]

Someone please let the State Dept. and Sec. Powell know that their softball approach to Anti-Americanism by the Germans and French over the last 18 months is now paying dividends on our War On Terrorism. [END SARCASM] Spain looks at them both, and it sees no penalty for the Germans and French turning their backs on us. Why should Spain play hardball when all they have to show for their help is 200 dead and 1500 wounded? Brilliant, simply brilliant.

[Alia]

I concur with your assessment of Mr. Powell's assertion. A lot more goes on behind the scenes. It was not just a simple matter of "signing" on to fight the WOT. Many more matters were/are involved. Mr. Powell makes reference to exactly this in re updating the Resolution. I may be wrong, but I thought the Spanish troops were scheduled to be out of Iraq soon anyways....

"UN involvement". haha. Okay. And, I think it would be "good" to have the UN "on board".

Colin Powell has just made a very clear and informative assertion as to exactly what's in the mindset of the WH today. Bravo! Bush Admin!

[Sender]

Yes this is typical State Dept vaguespeak.

We don't feel that the terrorist attack had any effect on the elections, and we don't feel that the elections will have any effect on our relationship.

Yeah right.

[conservativecorner]

Isn't the time for word games well over?

[Keith]

We are simply saying nice doggie, until we find Osama in Paky or Afghani and beat the snot out of him...

Let the Euroweenie eat our dust once again.

[Warlord David]

Although this is a bunch of BS from Powell. I guest you have to have damage control. Lucky that Spain had elections when they did. With Iraq starting to get on it feet. If this disaster and elections had happen 2 or 3 months earlier it would have had a bigger impact on the war and talks with Europe who were and still are reluctant to follow Bushes leads. To bad the right wing media in Spain, could not have spin this disaster to the conservatives favor. And rally support for the war.
The liberal will no doubt have plans that will spin this mess in Spain into their cause, using this disaster for a rally call and ignoring Bush and the conservative party in Spain. And take the reigns of control on the War on Terror as if they were in control all the time, thru the liberals media BS. Something Powell would never mention, except to say what he already said about Spain continue their support on the war on terror.