18 April 2004

by Anai Rhoads

AnaiRhoads.org - As promised, Spain's new Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will begin withdrawing Spanish troops from Iraq.

Within hours of being sworn in, Zapatero vowed to reverse the defeated Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's deployment of Spanish troops into Iraq. Aznar's decision to join the U.S. "coalition of the willing" is said to be the cause of Spain's recent train bombing attack by al-Quada militants. The attack took 191 lives and the terrorist act alone pushed Zapatero's Socialist Party into power.

Zapatero ordered Defence Minister Jose Bono to bring all 1,300 troops home by the 30 June deadline if the United Nations has not stepped in to seize military control and deal with post-war operations in Iraq.

Although Zapatero endorsed presidential-hopeful John Kerry as a strong leader, Kerry did not approve of the withdrawal, "I regret Prime Minister Zapateros decision. Spain and all the world have an interest in rebuilding an Iraq that is not a haven for terrorists and a failed state. I had hoped the Prime Minister would have reconsidered his position, and I hope that in the days ahead the United States and the world can work with him to find a way to keep Spain engaged in the efforts in Iraq."

He went on to say, "Rather than losing partners, I believe it is critical that we find new coalition partners to share the burden in Iraq. We need to offer to share responsibilities with the United Nations, NATO and others, so they will work with us in Iraq to achieve security, stability, and freedom."

A total of 11 Spanish troops have perished since August 2003 and 7 members of the intelligence agency were killed in November 2003. The troops were stationed in Najaf at the time, protecting Diwaniya.

Zapatero made it clear that Spain is still interested in helping the reconstruction and democratisation of Iraq, but added that sending Spanish troops in support of America's offensive action was unacceptable.

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