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.

[Revenge of Sith]

Franco also saved Jews from the Nazis and repealed the Inquisition laws.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

The headline should read:"SPANISH COWARDS CAPITULATE TO TERRORISTS"!

[Lily4Jesus]

The Spaniards are like Kerry: FLIP FLAP.

En Sur America los espanoles son conocidos como cobardes. Las acciones de ellos prueban esto.

Spain need to see The Passion of the Christ. May GOd have mercy on them.

[Lily4Jesus]

I like the post.

[FReepaholic]

>>...Er, aren't American ancestors and European ancestors more or less the same guys ...<<

Yes, up until the 1700's when ours grew b*lls.

[daybreakcoming]

I think the way this American sees it is the rail attack frightened the Spaniards into coming out in greater force to vote to accomodate the terrorists. All a matter of timing as the Popular Party was favored to win, were they not? Such a difference in the way our two countries reacted after being blindsided by terrorist attacks....the US came out fighting and the majority of Spanish voters cowered all the way to their voting booth. Perhaps if France is attacked, you will scowl at the appeasers in your own country.

[LaGrone]

Under the circumstances and due to the fact that the terrorists can be nothing but emboldened by the election results in Spain, since before the bombings the conservatives were expected to win the elections; I do not believe my comments were out of line.

[LaGrone]

My belief is that the next time Spain does not do what El Queda wants, more bombings will occur. After a few times of this maybe the Spainards will understand there is no appeasing the terrorists.

When the entire world rises up as one against these scumbags, the terrorist war will become easier to win.

[Knuckle Sandwich Combo]

The Islamic World

Question: How will this map change over the next quarter of a century?

[Southack]

Bump for post #214.

What's going on in Spain today is the same as was going on before and during their 1936 Civil War. Spanish Communists (e.g. Basques and Socialists) are fighting against Spanish Nationalists.

Back in 1936, American Leftists such as those at the NY Times strongly supported Spain's "republican" communists against Franco's nationalistic fascists. They were pretty much able to set it up such that only the communists received American aid to Spain.

In spite of that aid to his enemies, Franco prevailed.

But unlike the accusations against Franco and unlike Franco's leadership peers (e.g. Hitler, Mussonlini), Franco did NOT want a world war, was not interested in expanding his empire in any significant way, and was actually a friend of Spanish jews all over the world.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

The former is probably more true than the latter. I was USMC mid to late 60s and still miss them. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Semper Fi ...

We can always use a few more gun bunnies. ; )

SIC

[Dave Elias]

"Americans and American business should now redirect their monetary support to Italy and Poland and away from Spanish interests."

Good to see you show such gratitude to the Australian support. All Australia received in the way of thanks was a shafting at the hand of US agricultural lobby groups in the free trade agreement.

[RightWhale]

Does anyone wonder what the effect will be in Israel?

[Dave Elias]

"We one both wars basically on our own."

Ignoring the obvious dishonor you bestow upon the British,Canadians, Australians, Indians etc, the 30 odd million Soviet civilians and soldiers that died in WW2 stand testomony to how overstated your assesment is.

[Lijahsbubbe]

i think itll be the opposite. once they show an ounce of weakness AQ will be all over them. Its what they live for.

So very true.

[Burkeman1]

I largely agree with your post. Hitler did divert major resources from the Eastern Front even before D-Day to France and to Italy. The German forces our rookie troops later encountered in the hedge rows of Normandy were battle hardened veterans of the eastern front.

Good post.

[xone]

"YOu didn't have any help in the Pacific ??? Well, that's real nice for the Australian, British, Chinese, Dutch, Indian and New-Zelander troops that fought and died there, pal."

Been reading this thread from the beginning and hoping someone would reply to that comment. Sad that with all the military guys here that a European friend would have to set the record straight.

[Grassontop]

John F'en Kerry is supposed to be in my state of West Virginia and I guess its going to be Charleston. I wish my wife and I could be there to freep him, but my job won't allow me to go~! That is a bummer!

I would have a sign that says: WE DON'T NEED A FLIP FLOPPER FOR A PRESIDENT! MOVE TO SPAIN WHERE THEY FLIP FLOP, OLD POP!

[MeekOneGOP]

Man, isn't that the truth ??

If you missed this by Steyn, it's a Steyn Classic ...

Mark Steyn: The Spanish dishonoured their dead

[Grassontop]

I'll check it out! Grassontop

My wife is going to campaign for Bush in Kingwood WV for Bush! We are all for Bush for four more years, no ands, ifs or buts about it!