Spain PM orders Iraq troops home - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 04-18-2004, 01:15 PM

Spain PM orders Iraq troops home

Spain's new prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has given orders for Spanish troops in Iraq to be brought home in "as short a time as possible".
In a televised address to the nation, he said he could not ignore what he called the will of the Spanish people.

The previous government's support for the war in Iraq, and its handling of the Madrid bombings, were thought to have caused its election downfall.

Spain has about 1,300 troops stationed in south-central areas of Iraq.

Mr Zapatero said he had ordered the defence minister to "do what is necessary for the Spanish troops stationed in Iraq return home in the shortest time possible".

He spoke just hours after the new Socialist government was sworn in.

Immediately after his election, Mr Zapatero had vowed to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq unless they came under UN command by 30 June when their mandate expires.

His conservative predecessor, Jose Maria Aznar, sent in troops in August 2003 in a move which led to huge popular protests across Spain.

"With the information we have, and which we have gathered over the past few weeks, it is not foreseeable that the United Nations will adopt a resolution" that satisfies Spain's terms, Mr Zapatero said.

Daily attacks

The United States earlier condemned the decision to bring the troops home, saying it is giving in to terrorism.

But the BBC's Danny Wood, in Madrid, says the majority of Spaniards support the decision.

Many believe the 11 March train bomb attacks were a result of the former government's support of the United States policy in Iraq, our correspondent adds.

Spanish troops play an important role in Iraq, particularly in the Shia holy city of Najaf.

Spanish troops stationed in Najaf come under rifle and mortar fire almost every day from militiamen loyal to the radical anti-US cleric Moqtada Sadr.

Afghan pledge

In November, Spain was stunned by the deaths of seven intelligence officers in Iraq, killed when their convoy came under attack outside Baghdad.

The BBC's Dominic Hughes, in Baghdad, says that with the US saying it needs thousands of extra troops on the ground in Iraq, the withdrawal of the Spanish forces will clearly be felt.

Mr Zapatero has said the fight against terrorism at home and abroad will be his administration's top priority.

And he has promised to double the number of Spanish soldiers in Afghanistan, where there is a UN mandate.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3637523.stm

nathan_f · 04-18-2004, 01:16 PM

at least look at the front page before you start posting

tornell · 04-18-2004, 01:17 PM

LiveDose · 04-18-2004, 01:21 PM

The Spanish PM controls the Iraqi troops?

04-18-2004, 01:15 PM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Spain PM orders Iraq troops home Spain PM orders Iraq troops home Spain's new prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has given orders for Spanish troops in Iraq to be brought home in "as short a time as possible". In a televised address to the nation, he said he could not ignore what he called the will of the Spanish people. The previous government's support for the war in Iraq, and its handling of the Madrid bombings, were thought to have caused its election downfall. Spain has about 1,300 troops stationed in south-central areas of Iraq. Mr Zapatero said he had ordered the defence minister to "do what is necessary for the Spanish troops stationed in Iraq return home in the shortest time possible". He spoke just hours after the new Socialist government was sworn in. Immediately after his election, Mr Zapatero had vowed to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq unless they came under UN command by 30 June when their mandate expires. His conservative predecessor, Jose Maria Aznar, sent in troops in August 2003 in a move which led to huge popular protests across Spain. "With the information we have, and which we have gathered over the past few weeks, it is not foreseeable that the United Nations will adopt a resolution" that satisfies Spain's terms, Mr Zapatero said. Daily attacks The United States earlier condemned the decision to bring the troops home, saying it is giving in to terrorism. But the BBC's Danny Wood, in Madrid, says the majority of Spaniards support the decision. Many believe the 11 March train bomb attacks were a result of the former government's support of the United States policy in Iraq, our correspondent adds. Spanish troops play an important role in Iraq, particularly in the Shia holy city of Najaf. Spanish troops stationed in Najaf come under rifle and mortar fire almost every day from militiamen loyal to the radical anti-US cleric Moqtada Sadr. Afghan pledge In November, Spain was stunned by the deaths of seven intelligence officers in Iraq, killed when their convoy came under attack outside Baghdad. The BBC's Dominic Hughes, in Baghdad, says that with the US saying it needs thousands of extra troops on the ground in Iraq, the withdrawal of the Spanish forces will clearly be felt. Mr Zapatero has said the fight against terrorism at home and abroad will be his administration's top priority. And he has promised to double the number of Spanish soldiers in Afghanistan, where there is a UN mandate. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3637523.stm __________________ The Affiliate Program

04-18-2004, 01:17 PM	#3
tornell Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: United States Posts: 4,189	uha __________________ Pregnant Porn ★ SpankBang Xom★ Cuckolds Porn★ Best Porn Flix

04-18-2004, 01:21 PM	#4
LiveDose Show Yer Tits! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere Out there... Posts: 25,792	The Spanish PM controls the Iraqi troops? __________________ Scammer Alert: acer19 acer [email protected] [email protected] Money stolen using PayPal

04-18-2004, 01:16 PM	#2
nathan_f Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Think of me as Chomsky with dick jokes. Posts: 3,983	at least look at the front page before you start posting