Bush Bemoans Spanish Troops' Iraq Pullout

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=716&e=3&u=/ap/20040419/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_spain

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) expressed regret Monday at Spain's "abrupt" announcement of withdrawal of troops from Iraq (news - web sites) and cautioned its new prime minister to avoid actions that give "false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq."

Bush expressed his views in a five-minute telephone call with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who on Sunday ordered the 1,300 troops to return home as soon as possible.


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[David__77]

1. There's nothing "abrupt" about it.

He's fulfilling his promise. I see no reason why others should carry water and act as stooges for Bush and Blair's war.

[alcuno]

3. Actually, I think it is abrupt.

What Zapatero said weeks ago was that Spanish troops would not stay in Iraq beyond 6/30 without a new UN resolution. I think he's pulling them now because things are much worse and the Spaniards are in the middle of Najaf.

[w13rd0]

7. He's also doing this "prematurely"...

...because it's become glaringly obvious that Bush lied to Congress, the US, the world community...Bush is a fraudulent bastard.

[David__77]

9. But he is right about the possibility of a proper UN resolution.

There is little chance that the US will surrender all its power to the UN. That is Zapatero's condition, essentially. It has been rejected totally by Washington. Spain will not deal with the US on a less than equal basis.

I think he is doing the right thing and it's consistent with his promise to the Spanish people. Staying longer is only wasting time when a solution is not possible.

[alcuno]

10. For some reason, I thought they were going back for a new resolution.

Were the Spaniards in on the initial invasion? or did they follow as peacekeepers?

[David__77]

16. Spanish came later.

They did not invade--that was only US and UK.

[dudeness]

33. and australia..

sorry to be the smart ass..

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

2. i can picture zapatero rolling his eyes during that phone call

[sushi]

32. Yes, he must have

because Bush said "freedom" six times, and "bring the terrorists to justice" 10 times during that phone call.

[central scrutinizer]

4. * doesn't like democracy

<>

[0007]

5. What was it? 90% of Spain disapproved of the war and sending troops

[Boomer]

21. Democracy in action

Thank god there's a government SOMEWHERE that is reflecting the views of the electorate.

[wtmusic]

6. boo freakin' hoo

get used to it :cry:

[peacetalksforall]

8. The military brass on TV said that the hole is not that big to fill...

which could be translated as saying what we know...a lot of the coalition is token representation. Not to negate their contribution, but it is all kind of a face if the military says they won't be missed that much.

[stopbush]

14. Yet, a few months ago, the same assholes were touting Spain as

one of the "major" coalition partners!

More of their "no problem, we expected this to happen" BS.

[cliss]

15. That's been my feeling too.

There are 24,000 coalition troops currently in Iraq. I believe most of the Japanese troops are involved in peacekeeping duties like planting crops etc.

I think the coalition forces were more of a psychological support. As long as Bush could get other countries to participate, it lended legitimacy to the whole "project".

So the fact that Spain is leaving will not have a huge effect on the troops. It WILL, however, give the appearance that the war is a failure and will motivate other countries to get out, as they should.

[54anickel]

11. This part doe not help me to create warm fuzzies for Kerry -

Separately, Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, also deplored Spain's move.

"I regret Prime Minister Zapateros decision," Kerry said. "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."

""Rather than losing partners, I believe its critical that we find new coalition partners to share the burden in Iraq," Kerry said. "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."

Zapatero issued the recall on Sunday just hours after his government was sworn in. He said there was no sign the United States would meet his demand for United Nations control of the postwar occupation - his ultimatum for keeping troops there.

[wabeewoman]

18. The key here is

""Rather than losing partners, I believe its critical that we find new coalition partners to share the burden in Iraq," Kerry said. "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."

If we really had a coalition to help Iraqi's rebuild and turn the POWER over to them and the control of their oil, this is a totally acceptable statement. Isn't this what we want to do? If we go from occupying to assisting Iraq, it should quell much of the violence. While I agree with posters who want to bring our troops home, I think we have made a mess and must help clean it up. Of course, it could be that Kerry will continue the grab for Iraqi oil.

[truth2power]

29. I agree.

"This part does not help me create warm fuzzies for Kerry."

I called Sen. Kerry's office and the young man I talked to spent the time lecturing me on how we need to stay in Iraq. Right now I don't feel at all comfortable with Kerry, when his people are stridently making the case that we need to stay the course.

I fear that if Kerry gets in it will be more of same in terms of Iraq.

Don't bother flaming me. I know we are between a rock and a hard place. But it's damned discouraging to hear the people in Kerry's office giving me Bushco talking points. Makes me feel there is no hope at all.

[54anickel]

38. Look at the bright side -

Kerry keeps this type of rhetoric up, first the Rastini assasination article and now this - at least we don't have to worry so much about Condi's concern of elevated terrorist threats trying to sway the elections. Looks like it would make no difference to the "terrorists" who wins this one.

[yardwork]

40. Someone else started a thread wondering if Kerry's strategy here

is to imitate everything Chimpster says and does. This frustrates the Rove Machine from being able to point fingers at Kerry.

It does seem as if Kerry is doing this on purpose. Every day he comes out and says "ditto" to something Chimpster is saying or doing. It makes it awfully difficult for the Chimpy team to write ads against Kerry, since they'd be criticizing themselves.

If it's true that Kerry is doing this on purpose, he probably figures that he can count on Democrats to fulfill their ABB promise.

[Zhade]

36. "Failed state." Isn't that the phrase NEOCONS use?

Was it not in fact coined by a neocon?

Kerry, could you make it HARDER to support you, please? Christ!

[UpInArms]

12. related article: Bush Talks to Zapatero on Iraq Withdrawal

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23731-2004Apr19.html

President Bush scolded Spain's new prime minister Monday for his swift withdrawal of troops from Iraq and told him to avoid actions that give "false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq."

Bush expressed his views in a five-minute telephone call with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who on Sunday ordered the 1,300 troops to return home as soon as possible.

Zapatero placed the call to Bush and the president "expressed his regret to President Zapatero about the decision to abruptly announce the pullout of Spanish troops from Iraq," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

"The president urged that the Spanish withdrawal take place in a coordinated manner that does not put at risk other coalition forces in Iraq," McClellan said.

"The president stressed the importance of carefully considering future actions to avoid giving false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq," McClellan said.

...more...

The "you're with us or agin us" crap is getting really old and stale.

[bemildred]

13. How is the comfort "false"?

Mr. Zapatero, correctly, does not base his judgements on what
Iraqis will think, but on what is best for Spain and the World.

[54anickel]

37. I don't suppose Zapatero would consider attempting to call Kerry

to plead his case now either, hey?

[truthspeaker]

17. giving comfort to "enemies of freedom in Iraq"

WE are the enemies of freedom in Iraq.

[opihimoimoi]

19. The True Leader, he speaks with HIS people in MIND

that the actions/decisions are in the best interest for them.

[rocktivity]

20. What's Spanish for

"Well, what did you EXPECT me to do, you moron--completely ignore the fact that you've been exposed as a lying crook with no exit strategy?"

:headbang:
rocknation

[webtrainer]

42. en espanol . . .

"bien, qué usted ESPERÓ que me hiciera, idiota -- no haga caso totalmente del hecho de que le han expuesto como ladrón de mentira sin estrategia de la salida?"

I don't know the word for moron, but idiot will do nicely, I think . . .

Google does great translations now, btw.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

43. Pedazo de pelotudo!

[psychopomp]

22. I'll bet he did the whole call in English

And didn't pull out his "mi case es su casa" campaign-trail Spanish.

[Vladimir]

23. Democratic government

gets slammed for respecting the wishes of its electorate... war is peace... love is hate...

V

[Zomby Woof]

24. tough shit Chimpy

Can't wait until you bemoan your own ass when it's handed to you in November.

[daa]

25. Maybe Spain was watching 60 minutes too nt

[Mari333]

26. a "real " man knows when to pull out n/t

[Ilsa]

27. I wasn't expecting that! Bwaaaahaaaaaaa! n/t

[dolo amber]

46. Mari, I don't know if you intended that

little double entendre there, but that was a real coffee-spitter!! :D

And for the record, if pResident Asshat was paying attention he'd realize that a campaign promise made WELL OVER A YEAR AGO that was being kept (gasp...horror :o) can hardly be called *abrupt*...:eyes:

Useless piece of subhuman exrement...:grr:

[truth2power]

28. And Kerry agreed with him.

The Spanish people opposed this war, as did the Americans. Zapatero is simply honoring the promise he made, which is more than our leaders, Democrat or Republican seem capable of doing.

[truthspeaker]

35. Paging Dr. Dean! John Kerry needs another spine transplant!

[July]

30. Spaniards reply: "Me importa un bledo."

Loosely, I don't give a damn.

[sushi]

31. I hope more countries leave

Let Bush solve the mess he made.

[alcuno]

34. Many signed up for a peacekeeping mission.

They didn't sign up to fight the Iraqi people on a daily, and perhaps hourly, basis.

[dw]

39. And most assuredly... YEARLY... basis.

Is 'decadely' a word?

[saskatoon]

41. Bemoans?

I bet he threw one spectacular tantrum, which he does every time he doesn't get his own way. He has the ugliest attitude re talking down to people, what right does he have to "Lecture" the Leader of another country, which is what he did in that phone call.Spoiled damn brat. Did you pick up on what he said in reply to Woodward's question re did (does) he ask his fathers advice in regards to his decisions. Wonder what his old man thought of his answer because it was insulting.

[Judi Lynn]

44. The Reuters story: Bush Criticizes Spain on Withdrawal from Iraq

Bush Criticizes Spain on Withdrawal from Iraq
Mon Apr 19, 2004 05:45 PM ET



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday criticized Spain's new prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, for his decision to withdraw 1,400 troops from Iraq and urged him to make sure their departure does not put other forces at risk.

The Bush administration is concerned Spain's withdrawal could disrupt security and reconstruction efforts in parts of Iraq. It plans to fill any void with U.S. troops or forces from other coalition partners, though Honduras said on Monday it was evaluating a possible pullout of its 370 troops as well.

In a five-minute telephone call initiated by Zapatero, Bush expressed regret over his decision to withdraw the troops and warned Madrid against taking future actions that could give "false comfort to terrorists," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"We'll continue to work with Spain in the war on terrorism," McClellan told reporters. "The coalition in Iraq is strong."
(snip)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=4870507

[Tripmann]

45. A lesson in Democracy

Zapatero is keeping a pre-election promise to the people of Spain, and its a refreshing thing to see a politician with a shred of integrety and backbone. 9 out of 10 Spaniards wanted nothing to do with the war but unfortunately their government weren't interested.

A Government of the people, by the people and for the people with no 'puppet' strings attached. Go Spain!! Pity Iraq won't be as lucky.