Spain to pull troops out 'as soon as possible'

[G_j]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4904521-103550,00.html

Spain to pull troops out 'as soon as possible'
Minister says forces could return within 15 days

Giles Tremlett in Madrid and David Teather in New York
Monday April 19, 2004
The Guardian

Spain announced last night it was expediting the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, jolting its coalition partners after another weekend of heavy losses and setbacks.

Hours after his government was sworn in, the Spanish prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, ordered an abrupt recall of Spain's 1,300 troops, saying they would leave Iraq "in the shortest possible time". He said he was no longer prepared to wait until his previous deadline of June 30 because there was no sign of the UN taking control of the post-war occupation.

Miguel Moratinos, the foreign minister, was quoted by Egyptian media as saying the pullout would happen within 15 days. Defence staff have already drawn up plans, officials in the new government said last night.

The decision, though her alded after Mr Zapatero's election win last month, is a blow for the US-led coalition and for Tony Blair, who is trying to marshal support for greater UN involvement in Iraq.

"We obviously regret that the Spanish will be leaving," a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said last night.

..more..

[freetobegay]

1. That is not soon enough!

They should be going home today! Along with our troops.

[G_j]

5. agreed

[Zhade]

2. Finally, some sanity.

Zapatero is a hero for doing this. He's listening to the people of his country.

If only our people were educated enough to demand this.

[G_j]

3. "listening to the people of his country."

now there is any interesting concept!

[FrustratedDem]

11. Too bad it took a terror bombing to wise them up

But I guess it was worth it in the end. I hope it doesn't become a fad to bomb more countries into electing leaders that toe the terrorist line in exchange for peace.

Do you think you can tell a smile from a veil?

[buldra]

4. zapatero

zapatero is my hero.
I hope brluscone to loose european election in june so also Italy will be pressed to retire the troops.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi buldra!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[teryang]

6. The Spanish people never wanted to deploy

....troops to Iraq. They were opposed to the war. So this isn't about terrorism, capitulation, nor appeasement. This is about a non responsive arrogant government being replaced by the will of the people.

[lightbulb]

8. Let Zapatero be an inspiration to other true leaders

It is possible to say no to the U.S. when they're wrong.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bemildred]

10. Safer, I don't know about safe. There is still the ETA.

But I would expect that Zapatero will do a better job there too.

[FrustratedDem]

12. I'm sure he will

All he has to do is give the ETA what they want like he did for the last bombers and everything will be just peachy keen!

[bemildred]

13. I doubt he will give the ETA what they want.

But I expect he will keep the promises made to the
Basque, and I expect that will put paid to the ETA
in due course.