Posted on 09/12/2004 4:32:36 PM PDT by Nepalis
TUNIS (Reuters) - Spain's prime minister said on Thursday other countries should follow Spain's example and pull out their troops from Iraq.
"I can only say that the decision to withdraw the troops was a very correct decision," Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told a news conference on a visit to Tunis.
"I view the situation today with profound concern. All respect to all the countries that are there, but if there were more decisions along the lines of the Spanish government's, more favourable prospects would be opened up," he said.
Zapatero won a surprise election victory in March, three days after 191 people were killed in attacks claimed by a group linked to Islamic militants al Qaeda. He announced the withdrawal of Spain's 1,300 troops a day after taking office.
Foreign critics, including the Australian government, have accused Spain of giving in to terrorism but Zapatero said he was just fulfiling a long-standing election pledge.
Ninety percent of Spaniards were opposed to the previous Popular Party government's support of the U.S.-led war.
Militants have taken dozens of foreigners hostage in Iraq, with some demanding governments pull out of the country. The Philippines withdrew its troops to save the life of a hostage while others such as Italy have refused to give in.
Norway, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic withdrew their small contingents around the same time as Spain.
The last few days have seen a surge in attacks and clashes in Iraq that have pushed the official Pentagon U.S. death toll for the war to above 1,000.
/chechnya
I expect to see the women of Spain in Burkas by the end of next year if not sooner. he he he That will be the next demand of Spain from the kerrorists. he he he...
I wasn't aware that Russia had troops in Iraq. Oh wait, that's right they don't! What a pathetic bunch of cowards.
Zapatero must have gotten new e-mail instructions from Usama.
LMAO!
May I borrow that?
"'Cause the face ain't listening!"
:)
Anyone who knows about Spain politics in the last couple of decades knows that the Partido Socialista was only able to maintain its electoral prospects by cutting an accomodationist deal with ETA, the Basque separatist terrorists. Zapatero is a quisling--un cobarde traidor. Que se pudra en su propia mier**. Me cago en la tumba de su pu** madre.
Zapatero = Kerry
In another interview, the Spanish PM said, "Other countries should join us, so we don't look like such friggen cowards."
Heheheh. Yep!
I fart in the general direction of Spain...
Conquistador, no. Cabron, si.
I'm starting to suspect the Democrats are running a COM-SYMP for President, but that's just me.
Look, there's Tom Harkin and Kerry with their Sandinista buddy Ortega.
What were they doing meeting with that communist SOB anyway?.
They sure look HAPPY to see him!.
John Kerry, Tom Harkin, Tom Daschle, Ted Kennedy, to name a few, are dyed in the wool Communists.
Let's just say their leadership lacks the testicular fortitude needed to be an international player.
They are still begging for mercy. It's pathetic.
There's a difference? :)
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