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Spain PM to withdraw Iraq troops
BBC ^ | 3/15/04

Posted on 03/15/2004 2:33:02 AM PST by kattracks

Spain's Socialist Party prime minister-elect has confirmed his intention to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said: "The war in Iraq was a disaster, the occupation of Iraq is a disaster."

The Socialist Party won a shock poll victory after voters appeared to turn on the government over its handling of the Madrid bombings.

Spain, with more than 1,300 troops in Iraq, supported the US-led war on Iraq despite much domestic opposition.

Mr Zapatero told Spanish radio that no decision would be taken until he was in power or without wide political consultation.

But the soldiers would be pulled out if there was no change in Iraq by the 30 June deadline for transfer of sovereignty.

Our world affairs correspondent, Paul Reynolds, says that the situation in Iraq may well have changed by 30 June, but whether that influences the new government remains to be seen.

By then the US and UK hope that the Security Council will have given UN approval to the handover plan.

In addition the interim Iraqi government will be asking foreign troops to stay as part of a UN-approved multinational force.

Outsider

Socialists won 42% of the vote, while the centre-right Popular Party won 38% in Sunday's general election, held in the wake of the Madrid train bomb attacks that killed 200 people.

The BBC's Chris Morris, in Madrid, says the bombings did more than shock Spain to the core; they proved to be the decisive factor in the general election that ousted the government.

Mr Zapatero was - until Thursday's bombings - considered an outsider for Spain's top job.

Despite his party's victory, however, there is expected to be much political horse-trading because the Socialists did not win an absolute majority.

While Mr Zapatero said his first priority was to tackle terrorism "in all its forms", he is thought likely to do it in a very different way than the outgoing government.

A larger than expected 77% of the electorate turned out to vote in the wake of last Thursday's attacks.

Our correspondent says the late swing to the Socialists raises one disturbing thought - if al-Qaeda was responsible for Thursday's attacks, it appears to have had significant influence in changing the government of a leading Western democracy.

Investigations are continuing into who was behind the bombings.

A videotaped claim of responsibility by a man identifying himself as al-Qaeda's military spokesman in Europe forced the government to change its stance on the most likely suspects.

The tape - claiming revenge for Spain's "collaboration with the criminals Bush and his allies" - was found in a litter bin on Saturday following a tip-off to a TV station.

'Suspect has al-Qaeda link'

Three Moroccans and two Indians are being held in connection with the attacks.

The three Moroccans being held have been named as Jamal Zougam, 30, Mohamed Bekkali, 31, and Mohamed Chaoui, 34.

The two Indians arrested were named as Vinay Kohly and Suresh Kumar.

Spain's El Pais newspaper reported that investigators had found links between Jamal Zougam and the Salafia Jihadia group held responsible for attacks in Casablanca last May in which more than 40 people died.

One of the targets of the Moroccan attacks was a Spanish cultural centre, where four Spaniards were among the dead.

Reports also linked Jamal Zougam to a Spanish cell of al-Qaeda which was headed by Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, also known as "Abu Dahdah".

Abu Dahdah has been indicted by the Spanish anti-terrorist prosecutor Baltasar Garzon on charges relating to the preparation of the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States.

El Pais said Jamal Zougam was cited at two points in Garzon's indictment, but was not charged.



TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: quitters; spain; spanishtroops; zapatero
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
Seems to me if someone were to repeatedly kill innocent civilians (i.e. shopping malls, schools, etc.) that the public could be persuaded to force politicians to concede to the demands of those perpetrating such.

Islam works this way --- it had great success in Africa --- they killed over 2 million Christians and animists in Sudan to force them into Islam. Islam doesn't convert, it terrorizes populations into submission. The Spanish certainly weren't wise, bin Laden was very open about retaking control of Spain. It'll serve them right when their women are forced into harems and they are put under control of the mullahs.

121 posted on 03/15/2004 6:39:26 AM PST by FITZ
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To: areafiftyone
"The Spanish people have now become cowards in the terrorist's eyes and they don't even care..."

... sheep to be slaughtered.
AQ must be quite proud of their 'achievement' !
122 posted on 03/15/2004 6:41:59 AM PST by traumer (Even paranoids have enemies)
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To: traumer
The only thing we do have to realize is that 90% of the population of Spain did not want to go into Iraq. This is their revenge. This is going to galvinize the peaceniks in this country even more. We have to stop it before it happens here. I am sure Italy will be following suit next because their population did not want to go in too.
123 posted on 03/15/2004 6:44:22 AM PST by areafiftyone (Democrats = the hamster is dead but the wheel is still spinning)
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To: xusafflyer
"When the first AlQaeda bombs go off in England, Denmark, and Poland, those countries can thank Spain."

I predict that they will hit Italy next. I'm not confident that Berlusconi will be able to keep his country at bay if something happens there. Remember when some Italian troops were killed a few months ago? Italy threatened to pull out of the Iraqi theater back then. Italy's government is a lot more unstable than England, Denmark or Poland. The Italians are comparable to the Spanish people...the clear majority opposes the war in Iraq...The Berlusconi government would collapse within a day
124 posted on 03/15/2004 6:46:30 AM PST by Maringa
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To: Clock King
Don't worry, Herry will come up with an angle.
125 posted on 03/15/2004 6:47:00 AM PST by philetus (Keep doing what you always do and you'll keep getting what you always get)
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Comment #126 Removed by Moderator

To: MJY1288
"Pathetic, I didn't realize Spain had so many cowards. Have the French been migrating South across their border?"

As I posted on my other thread re the sad news, it appears that the French have been breeding with the Spaniards since WWII.

So now the French DNC/Genes are in over 50% of the Peace at any Cost Spaniards who voted for the pro Islamofascist Socialist.
127 posted on 03/15/2004 6:48:00 AM PST by Grampa Dave (America can't afford a 9/10 John F'onda al Querry after 9/11.)
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To: finnman69
"The first thing I will do when I am elected is to go to the United States and support John Kerry."

LET HIM! That will be the biggest political mistake in the history of US elections- only Kerry won't see it that way!!

128 posted on 03/15/2004 6:50:31 AM PST by rintense
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To: george wythe
The Spanish voters are still in shock, denial, and anger, the initial stages of the grieving process, and they might have voted against the wrong party. After some time, I hope cooler heads will prevail.

I disagree. The new leader has 4 years to work his anti-American policies and appease terrorists. AQ has no reason to bomb them again while he's in power, and the Spanish might settle into a cosy relationship of high moral appeasement with France and Germany. And in 4 terror-free years (maybe), a docile populace may re-elect him again. This is a lose-lose situation of the most depressing kind. Prodi is already capitalising on this given his remarks today about the Iraq war causing terrorism to become infinitely more dangerous. It's 1939 again.

129 posted on 03/15/2004 6:53:37 AM PST by Colosis (RENTAL CAR: The only *TRUE* all-terrain vehicle.)
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To: xzins
Now they know they've got Spain by the cajones

You mean cojones don't you? Cajones are drawers,like in a chest of drawers. Sorry, I couldn't resist! ;-)

130 posted on 03/15/2004 6:53:58 AM PST by Former Fetus (aren't we all?)
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Comment #131 Removed by Moderator

Comment #132 Removed by Moderator

To: chilepepper
Franco was very careful to remain neutral during WWII -- even though he owed a great deal to hitler and mussolini for help during the spanish civil war

He did authorized, however, the formation of a purely voluntary division known as the Blue Division, that fought with Hitler in the eastern front. According to my grandfather, the sheeple did not realize they were helping Hitler, all they cared about was to keep on fighting "reds". My grandmother used to sing a song that ended up "I'm going to kill more "reds" than the number of flowers during April and May".

133 posted on 03/15/2004 6:58:33 AM PST by Former Fetus (aren't we all?)
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To: chilepepper
Franco was very, very shrewd. He willingly accepted Hitler's and Mussolini's help to win the Spanish Civil War and it was a win-win proposition--Franco got into power, Hitler got a testing ground for the weapons and tactics that later seized most of Europe.

But when Hitler came calling for Franco to repay the favor and help with the seizure of Gibraltar, Franco stalled him and frustrated him. After meeting with Franco to try and get him to assist with a Mediterranean campaign, Hitler said, "Rather than go through that again I would prefer to have three or four teeth yanked out!"

I am stunned that the Spanish people have handed the Islamonazis a major victory here. I thought the Spaniards had some of the biggest hearts, smartest brains, and stiffest spines in Europe when it came to dealing with Islam, since it's an integral part of their history. But I see that at least for a plurality of their electorate, I was wrong.

Vaya con Dios, PM Aznar, and thank you for your friendship. We will still be there for your country even as it turns its back on us...it's what we do.

El Cid, where are you?

}:-)4
134 posted on 03/15/2004 7:01:47 AM PST by Moose4 (Yes, it's just an excuse to post more pictures of my kitten. Deal with it.)
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To: avulsion
That was uncalled for
135 posted on 03/15/2004 7:02:01 AM PST by MJY1288 (Can't Blame Bush for Negative Ad's, When There's Nothing Positive To Say About John Kerry)
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To: Colosis
We Americans elected Hitlery's husband twice. Are we in such a good position to lecture the Spanish people for making an irrational decision after a major terrorist attack?

Nevertheless, my initial point was the new Spanish prime minister has left himself enough wiggle room to keep the Spanish troops in Iraq.

AP

"The Spanish troops which are in Iraq will be returning home," Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told Cadena Ser radio. He said the troops would be recalled once he puts together a government some time in mid-April and formally takes over as prime minister.

However, a party spokesman explained to The Associated Press that Zapatero sticks by his campaign condition that the 1,300 troops would stay if the United Nations assumed control of the peacekeeping operation in Iraq.

IMHO, there is room for compromise.

The new Iraqi government will likely get a new UN resolution blessing foreign troops as UN peacekeepers in Iraq.

Diplomats can work out a face-saving arrangement to help the Spain and others.

136 posted on 03/15/2004 7:02:58 AM PST by george wythe
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To: avulsion; Admin Moderator
Newbie must not have read the rules here
137 posted on 03/15/2004 7:03:03 AM PST by MJY1288 (Can't Blame Bush for Negative Ad's, When There's Nothing Positive To Say About John Kerry)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
The Socialist Party is not concerned with freedom, justice, human rights, or truth.

Color me shocked...

138 posted on 03/15/2004 7:04:28 AM PST by null and void (Paranoid? Me? I sure hope so...)
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To: avulsion; Admin Moderator
Zot mission called in. Kitten in the hole!

}:-)4
139 posted on 03/15/2004 7:05:18 AM PST by Moose4 (Yes, it's just an excuse to post more pictures of my kitten. Deal with it.)
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To: kattracks
Paella-eating surrender burros.
140 posted on 03/15/2004 7:06:15 AM PST by Sloth (We cannot defeat foreign enemies of the Constitution if we yield to the domestic ones.)
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