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The Wall Street Journal slams Zapatero: The Accidental Prime Minister
El Mundo ^ | 11/25/04 | ELMUDO.ES (Editorial)

Posted on 11/25/2004 7:19:53 AM PST by Jose Roberto

Translated by Jose Roberto Orellana for the Free Republic.

MADRID.- "I do not want to be a great leader". With this phrase, expressed by Rodríguez Zapatero to 'Time' Magazine during an interview in September, The Wall Stree Journal (European Edition) lacerates the Spanish President in a scathing editorial published today. The WSJ states that the "precipitated" decision to withdraw the Spanish trrops from Iraq is the "perfect 'thank you' to the terrorists that perpretrated the 11th of March attack on Spain and enexpectedly propelled Zapatero to the Presidency".

The American newspaper points that "Zapatero, after nine months in power, has demonstrated that his now-infamous phrase (I do not want to be a great leader) is a stunning self-fulfilling prophecy".

"In spite of the Socialists accusations that the previous (Aznar's) Administration exposed Spain to terrorism, we now know that the 3/11 attacks were planned before the War in Iraq", states the WSJ in its editorial, 'Presidente por casualidad (The Accidental Prime Minister)', that underlines that Zapatero's decision "has cost Spain friends and influence in the international community and has not brought an improved security to the country".

The prestigious newspaper (WSJ) accuses that the "Zapatero's rabid anti-americanism has shaken the international community, including the French and German diplomats. Since taking power, Zapatero has called on America's allies to abandon Iraq. And he still expects President Bush to return his telephone calls".

"It would be tempting to deny that these are major blunders of an inexperienced Prime Minister that behaves more like a Tarot reader", continues the WSJ, "but Zapatero's politics are not directed by inexperience but by his ideology, and that is difficult to change"

Furthermore, the WSJ mentions the "affinity" that Zapatero shares with the "last remnants of Socialism in Latin America". Thus, we see "his arduous work in the European Union to lift sanctions against Cuba" and his other "favorite project: reinforce his bonds with Chavez".

The WSJ underlines that "even the current Socialist Spanish Foreign Minister supported Chavez' accusation that the previous Spanish Conservative government of Jose Maria Aznar encouraged a coup d'etat against him (Chavez)".

"Zapatero has the right to his ideas", says the last paragraph of the editorial, "but the Spaniards also have the right to ask what do they get in a leader that appeases the terrorists, becomes friends with the dictators and soils Spain's international prestige". "These may be four long and dark years in the Iberian Penisnula", the WSJ concludes.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
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To: Jose Roberto

"I do not want to be a great leader". With this phrase, expressed by Rodríguez Zapatero "

Then you have been a smashing success.
Other great quotes:

"I just want to die in prison with my brains bashed out."
Jeffry Dahmer

"I want to go down as the biggest jerk to be in the WhiteHouse."
William Jefferson Clinton

"I want to be sued into bankruptcy."
Michael Jackson

"I want to prove I am an incompetent lawyer."
Mark Garagos


21 posted on 11/25/2004 8:46:56 AM PST by American Vet Repairman (Give a man a fish he eats for a meal...give him bad fish he leaves you alone.)
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To: Jose Roberto

Spain, unlike France, produces men like Aznar and the good guys will be back there just like they came back here after Clinton.


22 posted on 11/25/2004 8:51:36 AM PST by Tribune7
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To: Jose Roberto
The Spanish newspapers, El Mundo and El Pais are beginning to print unflattering articles about Zapatero. Even the Madrid Cardinal is fuming at the "shameful Socialist ideas" of Zapatero and his cronies.

How much power does Zapatero have to enact his ideas? Did his party win enough seats in the election to get much of his agenda through, and what's he actually gotten passed so far?

23 posted on 11/25/2004 9:39:18 AM PST by John Jorsett
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To: Jose Roberto

The OKC bombing happened on April 20, 1995


24 posted on 11/25/2004 10:01:04 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Jose Roberto

"'Presidente por casualidad (The Accidental Prime Minister)'"

You know, now I think about it, this is what he really is. The former PM was expected to win, until the bombing occurred, but then 'the Accidental Prime Minister' was elected instead, by accident. I hope this is was he will be known as over there?


25 posted on 11/25/2004 11:19:52 AM PST by rawhide
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