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<p>February 15, 2004 -- It went almost unnoticed, but earlier this month a noble ally of America addressed a joint session of Congress.</p> <p>Jose Maria Aznar - the first Spanish prime minister and second Spaniard ever to address Congress - has been a stalwart friend of the United States throughout both of his four-year terms, but especially since the beginning of the War on Terror.</p>

<p>Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a staunch ally of the United States in Iraq, told Congress yesterday that Spain has no desire to turn Europe into a counterweight to American economic and military power.</p> <p>"The Atlantic relationship strengthens Europeans and Americans alike," Mr. Aznar said at a joint session of Congress.</p>

Spain stands with the United States in the fight against terrorism, Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar told a joint session of Congress today. Spain has a brigade and a headquarters serving with the Multinational Division Central/South based in Hillah, Iraq. A number of Spanish soldiers have been killed or wounded in the country. Aznar, speaking through a translator, said Spain understands "that we have to face risks and shoulder commitments -- commitments that must be met." He said Spain wants to occupy a position in the first line in defense of democracy and the rule of law alongside friends and...

WASHINGTON - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar is the latest in a long list of foreign leaders winning up-close-and-personal thank yous from President Bush for supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq Aznar was due to see Bush on Wednesday at the White House in a visit complete with a joint appearance before reporters in the Rose Garden. The Iraq allies were to talk about reconstruction and plan for the push to lift U.N. sanctions on Baghdad, said Sean McCormack, a White House spokesman. Expansion and reform of NATO also was likely to come up, McCormack said. The U.N. Security...

01 May 2003 Transcript: Powell on Spanish TV Thanks Spain for Coalition Support (Madrid, May 1: Secretary of State discusses Iraq, Middle East) (1900) Secretary of State Colin Powell was in Madrid May 1 to express his appreciation for the strong support that Spain provided to the coalition that liberated Iraq. In an interview on Spanish television, Powell said the Spanish people should be very proud of the stand their government took on the issue. "I know there was a great deal of concern and there was a great deal of popular opposition, but look what we've achieved: their...