Administration Official Faults Defeated Spanish Government

[hang a left]

for "Mishandling" Terror Attack

National News from The Associated Press
http://sandiego.cox.net/cci/portal/_pagr/127/_pa.127/669?view=article&id=D81C8J380

(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
03-17-2004 12:23 PM
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON -- A top Bush administration official says the Spanish government was defeated in national elections in part because it initially held Basque separatists accountable and "didn't get what information did exist out to the public."

"I think the vote that propelled the Socialists into power in Spain, as I understand it, was a protest by the people against the handling of the terrorist event by the sitting government of Spain," Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said in an interview with WPHT-TV-Philadelphia.

"Probably part of it" was that the defeated conservative government of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar _ a key U.S. ally _ initially held Basque separatists accountable and "didn't get what information did exist out to the public," Armitage said.

After initially pointing the finger at Basque separatists, the Spanish government has since said it is investigating a top suspect's possible links to the al-Qaida terrorist network.




snip>

[bemildred]

1. Ah, cutting our losses. How nice.

This sudden interest in keeping the public informed
is much to be commended. Let's hope for more in the
future.

[JohnyCanuck]

2. In other words Anzar was voted out

because he lied to the public and tried to blame ETA for the bombing without evidence to back up his claim. Hmmmm, now that rings a bell. What other prominent government leader does that remind me of?

[Kool Kitty]

3. This administration has no sense of irony.

[daleo]

4. Bushco will learn from this mistake

If there is an unfortunate incident three days before the November election, they will be sure make sure everyone knows only they can keep you safe from Ossama. Although, they might also postpone the election, to be sure people don't vote the wrong way. I gather this idea is getting traction in the right wing talk radio circuit.

[uhhuh]

5. Not really

The prevailing "wisdom" on talk radio the last few days was that the Spanish people caved to terrorist demands, and voted out their leadership to appease them.

This statement from the White House is the opposite of that, and is more in line with reports that were in the international press that stated that the Spanish voters voted socialist because they felt lied to and betrayed by Aznar's government.
I wonder how rw talk will credibly do a 180 on this tomorrow?

This is the line they've taken lately:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x429278

I wonder sometimes if these guys even talk to each other anymore before they spout off?

[Disturbed]

6. Hello...anybody out there?

Seems to be a disconnect of spin.

Bushco is now showing the few allies they have left how they will turn on them the moment they lose. That's a good heads up for the "willing". Bushco msg. is: "We will send you money as long as you allow your citizens to die for our agenda. The moment you can't do that we will cut you lose and diss you." "The Bush Crime Syndicate" has no loyalties.