Pledges Not to "Give In" to Terrorists, Still Wants Pull Out From Iraq
Jose Luis Zapatero was elected just days after the terrorist bombing killed 200 Spanish citizens, in large measure because of his promise to withdraw Spanish troops from the multi-national force in Iraq. Yet today he seemed angered at charges of cowardice.
At a Socialist Party conference today, the Prime-Minister Elect said ""No Spanish government has given into terror and no government will do that." He continued "My priority is to fight every type of terrorism. Terrorists are going to find us facing them and that together we are going to win."
Zapatero was responding to a statement made by out-going Spanish Prime Minister Aznar at his last EU conference. "My view is that to remove Spanish troops from Iraq is a calamitous error for Spanish politics."
While I do not support PM-elect Zapatero's position, there is a vast difference between taking a position of conscience and being a coward. The majority of Spanish citizens opposed Spain's involvement in Iraq and made their voices heard in the recent election.
But I do challenge his assertion that Spain will actively oppose terrorism. How? The leaders behind the bombings in Spain are in foreign lands. Spanish citizens are dead. How will Spain see that justice is done? Will they send troops to Pakistan or Afganistan? Will they find the men behind the bombings and launch Israeli-style attacks?
I doubt that the ZApatero government will do any of these things. But until they do, Zapatero's words are empty.