Stay course in Iraq, says Aznar

The Australian ^ | March 21, 2007 | James Madden

[Kaslin]

THE US and its allies, including Australia, need to stay the course in Iraq because to withdraw would allow terrorism to flourish in all parts of the world, according to former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar. Speaking in Sydney last night, Mr Aznar, who led Spain from 1996 to 2004, said that the Western world was at the crossroads, and that to concede defeat in Iraq would have "very serious consequences" for global democracy.

"It's a very bad idea. You shouldn't run out of Iraq," Mr Aznar said.

"Exiting Iraq without achieving stability will leave Iraq at the mercy of its neighbours, where there are terrorists at work. And if they win in Iraq, they won't stop there. Radicals of all sorts will secure a fatal blow against the West."

He rejected the suggestion that Australia's ongoing commitment to the Iraq war had increased the risk of a terrorist attack on home soil.

Mr Aznar said that the September 11 attacks, the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the 2005 London bombings were not revenge attacks for those countries' involvement in Iraq.

[Kaslin]

Ping

[cake_crumb]

"Mr Aznar said that the September 11 attacks, the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the 2005 London bombings were not revenge attacks for those countries' involvement in Iraq."

I would add that if the September 11, 2001 attacks WERE revenge attacks for US involvement in Iraq, it then proves A:) Saddam WAS involved in the attacks and B:) Saddam WAS in league with al Qeada.

Bless Azner, I pity him that his own people voted to surrender to al Qeada demands.

[3AngelaD]

Aznar is one of the few living Great Men. (Howard is one, also.) He gets it, and he got it from the beginning. His country behaved deplorably in the last election, voting like a bunch of socialist Kumbaya Euroweenies and cowards. I am sure El Cid and Ferdinand and Isabella were spinning in their graves. He should be running the UN, and if he were, the BS factor would be lowered by more than 50 percent. We should have insisted.

[cake_crumb]

"I would add that if the September 11, 2001 attacks WERE revenge attacks for US involvement in Iraq, it then proves A:) Saddam WAS involved in the attacks and B:) Saddam WAS in league with al Qeada."

I should have added that it then would follow that every attack claimed by al Qaeda SINCE September 11 would only prove that President Bush and all the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing were RIGHT in getting rid of the Saddam regime once and for all.

[NickatNite2003]

Senor Aznar is a man to pay attention
to. Even if you don't like what he says.

[Kaslin]

Only fools would believe that Saddam was not involved in the 9/11 attacks and if he wasn't, they sure had his blessings

[NickatNite2003]

It was a sad day for Spain, and
for those who admired Spain, when
the people, in their fear, chose
Zapazero, over a true patriot of
Spain...Senor Aznar, I salute you.

[Kaslin]

He is correct when he said withdrawing the Spanish troops was a serious mistake. And it would be a deadly mistake if our troops are withdrawn before the job is finished

[cookcounty]

"Only fools would believe that Saddam was not involved in the 9/11 attacks and if he wasn't, they sure had his blessings"

Saddam probably was not involved in the planning or logistics, but his open, public enthusiasm for terrorism was unique among world leaders.

The head of no other state, not even Syria or Iran publicly took credit for terrorist acts. Saddam paid terrorists to a kill civilians, and openly, publicly and repeatedly boasted about it. If you're having a War On Terrror, that person, by the Finger-In-The-Eye Rule, MUST be taken down, and taken down first.

[Kaslin]

President Bush was certainly correct in going to war against Saddam and his evil regime

[mtntop3]

Aznar is muy hombre.

Zapatero has been a disaster for Spain, deliberately re-igniting the Spanish Civil War of almost a century ago. Zapatero is a shining example of Marx/Lenin fanaticism and a murderous soul.