Spain PM to withdraw Iraq troops

BBC ^ | 3/15/04

[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.

[ex-Texan]

This does note bode well for the U.S.

Spanish voters are leftist cowards. Al Qaeda will be find encouragement in this news. Art Bell said tonight on his show words to this effect: "It seems terrorism works . . ." and predicted even more attacks in Europe. I agree. Al Qaeda will interpret the message sent by Spanish voters to mean that it must step up its program of terror in Europe. Soon bombs will be exploding in Italy, Poland and elsewhere.

Al Qaeda will soon be setting off bombs in the U.S. as well. Islamic terrorists will be convinced that they can sway elections by bombing innocent people. .

[dfwgator]

OK, ok fair enough, I will give Franco himself a pass. My derision is more directed against many in Spain who may have despised Franco, but actually were very happy that at least he kept Spain from the fighting. Just as I believe most Spaniards would like to see AQ destroyed, but don't want to get their hands dirty. To me that's even worse than the French, at least the French did fight a bit before surrendering.

[LaGrone]

Another feed the bear until it is big enough to eat you story from one more cowardly European country. Is their a backbone in Europe anywhere?

[David Isaac]

When I first heard of the bombing in Spain, I thought that the terrorists had made a serious mistake, that they had definitively let the world know what kind of people they truly are. Unfortunately, that has not proven to be the case.

[Imal]

Evil strikes Spain, and they flee into darkness. I pray that we shall not follow them.

[FReepaholic]

>>...When I first heard of the bombing in Spain, I thought that the terrorists had made a serious mistake, that they had definitively let the world know what kind of people they truly are...<<

This illustrates the enormous difference between the American people and the European people.

Our ancestors REFUSED to live in tyranny and rebelled.

Theirs embraced it.

[Truth29]

This election has many consequences, not only the direct appeasement of terrorists. We should reward our friends and avoid those who are not with us. Americans and American business should now redirect their monetary support to Italy and Poland and away from Spanish interests. Aznar was a great friend and supporter, but he masked that 90% of Spaniards were always against supporting the US war on terrorism. Now, their true face is revealed. Let them reap the rewards of puling out their troops from Iraq and moving away from the US war on terrorism.

[Semper Paratus]

"The lights are going off all over Europe and I fear it will be a long time before they come back on."

Comment by a British diplomat on the eve of WWI.

[Samurai_Jack]

"UNLIKE SPAIN, U.S.A. WILL NEVER SURRENDER!"

If kerry gets in the whitehouse and the USA will roll over like a monster truck on thin tires.

Kerry surrendered in vietnam and kerry will surrender to terrorism.

I dont know about you, but this makes me VERY afraid. If we let the socialists (aka democrats) take over this nation, we are going to be wearing dirty night shirts and burkas to the 2008 GOP Convention.

[germanicus]

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.

The beginning of the end of Western civilization?

[BlessedBeGod]

When AlQaeda sees the success they've had in Spain, they're going to go after a whole bunch of countries to try to repeat it.

The Spanish are going to have an awful lot of blood on their hands.

[CurlyBill]

Spain's surrender only further fuels these terrorists. When will people learn?

[Jim Noble]

If we let the socialists (aka democrats) take over this nation, we are going to be wearing dirty night shirts and burkas to the 2008 GOP Convention.

If there is one.

One of the two parties has to go. The situation is quite like the 1850s.

If Bush loses to Kerry after giving the RATs most of what they want (hat tip to Mr. Bush for his brave fight against AQ), and if the GOP really does not run real Senate candidates in Nevada and North Dakota after failing to run a candidate in Montana, then there really is no reason for the GOP to continue to exist.

[Brian Allen]

<< Spain pm to withdraw [Troops FRom] Iraq >>

Once a FASCISocialialisT state -- always a FASCISocialialisT state.

First a Hitler lickspittle state and now a squalidly socialistic EUROpeon Neo-Soviet servant satellite state.

As Al-qaeda Goreleone once barfed it, "leopards do not change their stripes."

Al-qaeda 199 - Spain Zip!

[madison10]

He can't just waltz right in & take over can he? Don't they have to wait until they count the hanging chads & have courts rule?

Seriously, there is no inauguration down the road a few months? No transition time?

[cynicom]

Maybe he will let the terrorists go as a goodwill gesture. Then he will order kneepads for every citizen in the country. Just like the damned Frogs.

[rhombus]

This just in... Franco Lives!

[alrea]

socialists win

next phase of the terrorist game plan: Spain's IBEX 35 dropped 3.3 percent after the socialists posted an upset victory on the ruling conservative party on the heels of the Madrid terror attacks killing 200 people.

[kitkat]

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.

[BlessedBeGod]

After seeing their success in Spain, I think they'll go after the big one next: Britain.