Spain, U.S. Avoid Clash Over Al Qaeda Suspects

Reuters ^ | November 28, 2001 | Steve Holland

[CommiesOut]

Spain, U.S. Avoid Clash Over Al Qaeda Suspects

November 28, 2001 04:38 P

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Spain and the United States avoided a potential clash on Wednesday over the possible extradition of eight suspected al Qaeda members to face an American trial for alleged links to the Sept. 11 attacks.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar told President Bush he was willing to study their extradition for trial in the United States if needed, while the White House gave no indication such a request would be coming soon.

Bush and Aznar, two like-minded conservatives, held an amicable meeting at the White House, telling reporters the United States and Spain were in full cooperation in the global effort to bring to justice Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network following the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Aznar offered Spanish military forces if needed in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

"Spain supports, has supported, and will support all the United States' efforts to track down, to eradicate and to eliminate terrorism wherever it may be worldwide," Aznar said.

Spain has said its laws would block the extradition of suspects who could face the death penalty or trial outside of the regular U.S. court system -- including trials in military tribunals

But Aznar appeared to soften that position on Wednesday, saying "if and when the United States requests that extradition, we will study the issue."

Bush said Spain has shared information about the eight. "It's incredibly helpful," he said.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said it will be up to the Justice Department to determine whether the evidence indicated the eight committed a crime against Americans, in which case an extradition request could be made.

"If the facts are these are members of al Qaeda cell operating outside the United States whose crimes that they are being charged with do not directly affect the United States, then there are other jurisdictions that are also appropriate," he added.

The positions each side took averted a public breach in what has generally been allied solidarity on the war on terrorism, but raised questions as to when Bush's military tribunals would be used.

Bush established the military tribunals by executive order Nov. 13 to try non-Americans accused in the Sept. 11 attacks.

The plan, not yet put into practice, has come under heavy criticism at home and abroad for going around America's traditional court system.

Aznar did not complain about the tribunals.

"Can I also say that the United States is free to organize its own jurisdiction as it sees fit as a free and democratic country. Any action taken on the extradition issue will be taken with full respect of Spanish and United States law," Aznar said.

He said the issue was being worked on by the European Union, and "we do hope to reach agreements on that issue in the very near future."

MEETING WITH U.N.'S ANNAN

Bush also met U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss the humanitarian aid crisis in Afghanistan worsened by the U.S.-led war. They vowed to ensure a steady supply of relief aid for the Afghan people despite an insecure situation in many war-ravaged areas there.

As many as 7.5 million Afghans are suffering from the cumulative effect of more than two decades of war, three years of severe drought and a collapsed economy.

Bush said he was convinced "we can do a very good job" of getting food, clothing and medicine to Afghans displaced by the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, which has routed the Taliban from control of most of the country in the campaign to bring bin Laden and his al Qaeda followers to justice for the Sept. 11 attacks.

The United States has voiced concern about lawlessness in Afghanistan and warned the U.S. military faces a difficult fight even in towns and cities seized by Taliban opponents.

"The degree of difficulty is high. There's no question we have a large task ahead of ourselves. We've got ample money. ... We've got the food. The fundamental question is, in an environment that is not very secure, how do we get the food in to people. And that's what we're working on," Bush said after the meeting.

Annan, seated at Bush's side in the White House Roosevelt Room, said the U.N.-led relief effort was able to get in as much food as needed "but because of the insecurity, we have difficulties reaching the needy and the people, and we are working on that."

"And I hope the situation will clarify in the not-too-distant future to allow us to reach all those in need," Annan said.

[CommiesOut]

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[Irene Adler]

Wonder how many rights the Spanish give the Basque terrorists when they catch some?

[Faraday]

Aznar offered Spanish military forces if needed in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

"Spain supports, has supported, and will support all the United States' efforts to track down, to eradicate and to eliminate terrorism wherever it may be worldwide," Aznar said.

These are incredibly supportive statements. Spain knows it is a "front-line" state with respect to Islamist terrorism. Their unequivocal support is most welcome, and a refreshing change from the kind of wobbly, hand-wringing support offered by many of the EU socialists.

[GeronL]

the media thought there was a chance we'd bomb Spain?? hahahaha

[McGavin999]

Great to see Spain standing with us shoulder to shoulder. Everyone knows we have to keep going if we're going to wipe out the terrorists worldwide. Everyone also knows that they and their children will benefit by it when we are successful.

[Dqban22]

The legal system in Spain is as protective of the rights of terrorists and criminals just as we do in our own system. They go even further, they don’t have death penalty. In fact, criminals in Spain, like in the U.S., are more protected than law-abiding citizens. Do not forget O.J. Simpson and Bill Clinton. The absence of the death penalty in Spain, and the European Community, might be one of the main reasons that they cannot eradicate the Basque terrorist organization, ETA. We must point out that the Basque region is autonomous with its own government and remains a part of Spain by the will of more than 90% of the Basque people.

[Dqban22]

Trust but verify. Do not put your security in the hands of the Spanish government. The first duty of the state is to protect the lives of its citizens. Spain for 42 years has been sponsoring and financing a terrorist state that all alone has given haven, supplies, and training to the ETA terrorists who have been the culprits of heinous carnage of innocent people in Spain. The terrorist state is Fidel Castro’s Cuba, who from the time of Franco to our days has counted on the unconditional support of rightist and leftist Spanish administrations alike, regardless of the fact that rivers of blood have been spilled all over Spain with the complicity and help of the Caribbean tyrant.