We let our allies down, say Spanish troops back from Iraq

telegraph.co.uk ^ | May 13, 2004 | Isambard Wilkinson

[NCjim]

In the old military city of Badajoz the sound of drums and trumpets that welcomed Spanish troops home from Iraq had given way yesterday to a discontented silence among men who feel they have let down their allies.

Senior army officers are guarded in their response to the decision of the socialist prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to withdraw soldiers from Iraq.

But as a small contingent of Spanish troops prepares to remove the last vestiges of the country's 1,300-strong presence, there are whisperings of discontent from those now returned.

The previous prime minister, José María Aznar, contrary to 90 per cent of Spanish public opinion, committed the force in support of US policy.

Yet soldiers now regret leaving Iraq so hastily following Mr Zapatero's election victory on March 11, three days after the terrorist train bombs in Madrid that killed 190 people and wounded 1,900. They also expressed disappointment over a lack of official recognition on their return and the public's seeming willingness to forget them and their mission.

Cpl José Francisco García Casteñeda, who previously completed three tours in Bosnia, said: "We left our coalition colleagues behind and abandoned the local people, who are living in wretched conditions."

Sitting at the same cafe table, Sgt Manuel García, 31, went further in his criticism of the withdrawal. "We felt used and let down by the politicians. Zapatero made the move purely for his own popularity," he said.

Two weeks ago a beaming Mr Zapatero went to the Botoa base, 15 miles outside Badajoz, for the ceremony to disband the Plus Ultra II brigade after its return.

Extremadura, the region around Badajoz, provided 80 per cent of the troops in the brigade, stationed mainly in Diwaniya and Najaf.

Mr Zapatero arrived after fulfilling his election pledge to withdraw troops if the military mission in Iraq was not put under United Nations command by June 30.

"It was just a photocall. He did not address us and the king did not come. No thanks were given. There was no encouragement for the job we did," said Sgt García. "It was a celebration for Mr Zapatero."

Some soldiers disagreed with Spanish involvement from the outset but felt that it was wrong to pull out.

Sgt Sergio Sanesteban Peña, 29, said: "There are two aspects to it. As westerners, we entered an Arab country not on a humanitarian mission as we were told but an imperial mission in a very hostile environment. The result is as we see it today. On the other hand, speaking from a military point of view, we should have finished our job to help the Iraqi people."

He echoed a commonly held opinion that the Spanish mission was undermined by the American decision last month to arrest Muqtada al-Sadr's number two, increasing violence in the Shia region where Spanish troops operated. On patrol in Diwaniya in February, Sgt Sanesteban was wounded in an arm and leg in a grenade attack. He will have more surgery next week.

But he feels that his sacrifice has been in vain. "We had the ceremony and now our work is forgotten. But for us it will not be easy to forget.

"I would not want to exaggerate but it is a little like the American troops returning from Vietnam. There were no thanks. You came back and you could feel the indifference."

[Right_in_Virginia]

All I can say is "wow".

[GregB]

Real people bump!!My kingdom for a Statesman....

[tet68]

All I can say is Thank you Sgt. Pena for being our ally in a time of need. Thank you for your service and may the recognition you deserve find you.

[Peach]

Spanish troops back home from Iraq feel they let their allies down. Wow.

[nuconvert]

This is just what I've thought. The Spanish soldiers weren't ready to leave.
Their country let them down.

[Redcoat LI]

"Extremadura, the region around Badajoz"

That region also provided many of the leaders and soldiers who drove the Moors out of Spain,as well as many Conquistadors.

I feel bad for those soldiers to be embarresed by their government in such a fashion.

[Right_in_Virginia]

All I can say is Thank you Sgt. Pena for being our ally in a time of need. Thank you for your service and may the recognition you deserve find you.

Thanks for finding the words I could not.

[tet68]

What have things come to, when a reporter from the "Telegraph" won't even mention the place Badajoz
has in history, for the Spanish AND British.

Does the name Wellington mean nothing today?

[theDentist]

I don't recall the exact quote, but there was someone who once said that while generals only see the smoke and fog of a battle, the soldiers in the fight see the truth.

Certainly bears out here.

[listenhillary]

It would be nice to show that Americans appreciated their efforts, even if their country doesn't.

[Cuttnhorse]

With a name like Extremadura, it must be a tough neighborhood.

[KriegerGeist]

Senior army officers are guarded in their response to the decision of the socialist prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to withdraw soldiers from Iraq.

Well doesn't that just burn your toast and spill your coffee... Just wait until they find out that appeasement doesn't work...or in other words: just wait until they finnd out that appeasement works just about a well as socialism. Both will always fail.

[Warrant]

For alot of Vietnam Guy's, this should sound familiar.

[elhombrelibre]

It's worth remembering that Spain had a terrible Civil War and some of those divisions may be alive today, especially on issues like terrorism and socialism. It takes a dope to say that this was a colonial mission.

[Let's Roll]

You didn't let down your allies, but your "leaders" sure did.

[tiamat]

I cannot imagine a TRUE Spanish trooper NOT being mortified by what his government has done....

We still have allies in Spain, and they are ashamed.

[MegaSilver]

BUMP

Great men.

[daler]

One wonders if it has crossed the minds of many French, Germans and Spaniards what the American public's response would be should they ever need our help for their very survival (again).

[CasearianDaoist]

I would not want to exaggerate but it is a little like the American troops returning from Vietnam. There were no thanks. You came back and you could feel the indifference

Then please don't exaggerate.