New premier Zapatero takes Spain into a different era [Yea... differently deadly]

deepikaglobal.com (India) ^ | 4-18-04 | who knows?

[johnny7]

Madrid, Apr 17 (DPA) New Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has pledged to turn Spain into a different country, and his programme could have a far-reaching impact both at home and abroad if he carries it out. Parliament confirmed the 43-year-old Socialist leader as prime minister yesterday after his party unseated the conservatives in the March 14 elections in the aftermath of Spain's deadliest terrorist attacks.

Approachable and sophisticated, the leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) since 2000 has yet to prove his leadership capacities, but his programme constitutes a blueprint for nothing less than a social revolution in Spain and for a re- evaluation of European terrorism policy. ''Terrorism cannot be defeated with wars,'' Zapatero said after suspected Islamists killed 191 people in the Madrid region on March 11. Instead, he proposed a ''world community'' between intelligence services and an urgent solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Zapatero intends to withdraw the 1,300 troops his predecessor Jose Maria Aznar sent to Iraq unless the United Nations takes charge there by June 30, a plan which could prompt other U.S. allies to also reconsider their roles in Iraq. ''I believe the return of Spanish soldiers will launch a widespread debate on the situation in Iraq and on what should never be done again,'' Zapatero told the daily El Pais.

In a radical break with Aznar's foreign policy, Zapatero will shift the focus from a strong alliance with the United States back to Europe, which he says he wants to strengthen as a bulwark of ''international legality and multilateralism'' against U.S.-led adventures such as the Iraq war. Zapatero will maintain Aznar's police campaign against international and Basque terrorism. But he will also seek to improve relations with moderate nationalists in the Basque and Catalan regions, walking a tightrope between their demands for more autonomy and the need to maintain Spain's national unity.

On the home front, Zapatero also differs from his predecessor in his plans to create what he describes as a ''modern and tolerant'' Spain.

[johnny7]

Approachable and sophisticated... leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)... social revolution... ''Terrorism cannot be defeated with wars,''... ''world community''... against U.S.-led adventures such as the Iraq war. What Senor Zapatero is saying, in his 'approachable and sophisticated' way, is that he is a total a-hole bent on destroying any EU/US cooperation on terrorism what-so-ever. Be a real shame if he had a fatal accident.

[Bismarck]

Jose Maria Aznar and the PP have done a great job with the economy. Let's not forget, that during Felipe Gonzales's/PSOE period Spain was in a pathetic situation... how the hell is Zapatero and his "socialist" nonsense going to improve Spain's flourishing economy? I predict the contrary. The "different era" will be an era og big-government, wasteful fiscal policy and open borders for Mohammedan immigration.

[Betaille]

Does anybody know this guys approval rating? I think the Spanish might start having some "buyers remorse".

[Ben Chad]

He looks French.

[johnny7]

The "different era" will be an era og big-government, wasteful fiscal policy and open borders for Mohammedan immigration.

Junior...we have that here for crisakes! This guy is a nuevo-communist with anti-American fervor determined to be a factor in EU/US relations.

[forYourChildrenVote4Bush]

You Americans are hated by many, but loved by others…Do not buckle under European pressure and do not go the way of the socialistic Spaniards. Those great Europeans who gave us the Spanish Inquisition in 1478, Napoleon I Emperor of the French 1769 – 1821, World war I 1914-1918, Hitler and World War II 1938-45 and the Holocaust. People around the world want to see you fail and the biggest failure would be the election of 'Hanoi John' Kerry. It is better to be feared, hated and strong rather than hated, weak and not feared. The world needs a strong policeman. Without you we are nothing…believe me when I say that I love America and wished I were one…oh well, at least I have a free Medicare system where I have to wait 7 hours in an emergency room to see a doctor. Our military buys second hand submarines with rusted holes. I get taxed about 52 % on my income that goes into our GREAT medical system, just don’t get sick up here, you might just drop dead. What a great liberal/socialist government we have here. Just venting… We love America, we vacation in America, and we spend our money in America. I love Mr. Bush, he will NOT let you nor your children down.

[Thom Pain]

"...Zapatero has pledged to turn Spain Andalucia into a different country..."

Done.

[Elvis van Foster]

Sounds Just like Bill Clinton.

[Let's Roll]

The Spanish voters are about to have big time "buyers' remorse."

[SpinyNorman]

"''Terrorism cannot be defeated with wars,'' Zapatero said after suspected Islamists killed 191 people in the Madrid region on March 11."

Appeasement and/or socialism does not make you any less an "infidel" in the eyes of the Islamic barbarian, Zapetero. You will force the Spainish people to learn this the hard way.

I pity them.