Zapatero Vows to Pull Spanish Troops Out of Iraq

[ze_dscherman]

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's opposition Socialists, fresh from a sensational election victory, vowed on Monday to make good on a campaign promise to pull troops out of Iraq.

In a setback to President Bush's efforts to maintain international support for his Iraq campaign, Spain's prime minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero repeated his determination to get Spain's 1,300 troops home.

Zapatero's election upset was sparked by anger over the Popular Party (PP) government's handling of a suspected al Qaeda attack on Madrid commuter trains that killed 200 people last Thursday.

The Socialist leader, a center-left moderate who had criticized outgoing premier Jose Maria Aznar's unswerving support for U.S. foreign policy and the war in Iraq, called the Iraqi war a disaster.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4566343

[Manix]

1. Blair get ready, your next!

nt

[alittlelark]

3. Then you Bushie Boo Boo

I would say it is sad to see you go - but it wouldn't be so!!!

At least I can tell the truth.

I'd like * to learn how to do so.

[bluestateguy]

2. Ha-Ha!

[Barkley]

4. I hope Bush doesn't spin this to argue for re-instating the draft!

Withdrawing 1,300 troops is great news for the anti-war movement effors to 'Bring the Troops Home NOW'. It will be a be a definite boost to this weekend's (March 20) Global demos marking the first anniversary of the Iraqi war.

The Iraqi war and occupation are disasters!

And I hope more countries (especially ours) follow Spain's peaceful and sensible course of action.

[retread]

5. Does this mean Spain is "old Europe" now? n/t

[ze_dscherman]

8. Always was

At least in the opinion of Spanish people about the war.

[Barkley]

19. Yes! Good "old Europe" n/t!

[psychopomp]

6. Perhaps Japan Next

A combination of Spain pulling out and (God forbid) Japanese troops coming to harm would see the Japanese Government looking to sell their new high-tech fortress in Samawa to the Pentagon.

[Florida_Geek]

7. Or Austrialia nt

[psychopomp]

9. PM Koizumi's popularity is soft

He's around 54 percent and would be lower if there was a credible person who could rally opposition. His close ties to Bush could also prove to be a liability.

[LynneSin]

10. So much for the 'Coalition of the Willing'

The people of Spain were NOT willing to be involved with this war. I hope we can learn something from our friends in Spain when it comes to our November 2004 election

:D

[peacebuzzard]

18. its wonder why voters flocked to the booths......

and rushed to put this guy in charge. Even in the USA people are starting to think "outside of the box". Just drove 8 hours yesterday from Myrtle Beach SC to East Tn. (heart of the red country, bible belt) and it was noticeable that very few cars were adorned with B* stickers. As a matter of fact, I saw more stickers such as "War is terrorism" and the slash(no) W. Amazing. Edwards was a good thing and I think some typical red southern states (at least SC--who knows maybe even TN and GA) will go blue this year. Let us hope.

[Capt_Nemo]

11. This is my kind of "Regime Change"!

Bring it on!

[waldenx]

12. the sound of crickets chirping from Kerry

Imagine doing something on principle alone....

[Eurobabe]

13. on BBC news right now live

Q & A

[Moderator]

14. kick

..

[dArKeR]

15. 'Spain Punishes Gov. for Immoral War' - 'Spain Punishes Gov. for

Making Spain an Al Qaeda Target'

The first is what I think so why has most every Media Whore outlet published the latter? This is a concrete fact. Why aren't the Whore reporters investigated to find out why the latter title is being used?

[jmcgowanjm]

16. How will this turn of events in Spain affect the U.S.?

Badly. Even now you can bet plans have
been put forward for cancellation/accelleration.
This affront to Fascism cannot be allowed to stand.
The politics of the people involved in the intelligence
community are invariably right wing; some openly
espouse fascist views. The new head of MI5,
Eliza Manningham-Buller, is the daughter of Sir
Reginald Manningham-Buller, a former Tory lord
chancellor and attorney general; her appointment
indicates that the traditionalists are dominant in the
security services.
This is not what the bombers had in mind.

http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcha...

[Moderator]

17. kick

..