Posted on 09/14/2004 11:04:11 AM PDT by Pikamax
US loses credibility in Middle East peace efforts: Spanish PM
www.chinaview.cn 2004-09-10 09:39:12
TUNIS, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Thursday that the United States has lost its credibility in the Middle East peace efforts and stressed the need to return full sovereignty to Iraq.
Zapatero made the remarks at a press conference at the end of atwo-day visit to Tunisia, which are currently holding the rotating presidency of the Arab League, saying "the US-led military intervention has proved totally negative."
"Those who committed this flagrant error are no longer entitledto carry out the peace process (in the Middle East)," he said, noting a greater role thus "falls to Europe, the United Nations and the Arab league."
The Spanish leader, while stressing the need to "return (full) sovereignty to the Iraqi people as soon as possible," said Spain's decision to withdraw from Iraq was a "very correct decision" for it conforms to the interests of the majority Spanish people.
He called on other countries which have troops in Iraq to follow Spain's example of withdrawal. He said, "If there were more decisions along the lines of the Spanish government's (decision of withdrawal), more favorable prospect would be opened up."
Zapatero, whose country is holding the current rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, also condemned the kidnappings in Iraq and called on the United Nations to take "urgent political steps."
Zapatero and his Spanish Socialist Party beat the Popular Partyled by former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar in the general elections in March 14. The new government completed the withdrawal of its 1,300 soldiers from Iraq in May. Enditem
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We ignore vermin.
The pentagon will study Spain's request to purchase Tomahawk missiles for a very, very long time.
The shoeman staked his campaign on rejecting US foreign policy. No surprise.
They can always buy US Tomahawk cruise missiles manufactured in China, courtesy of the Clinton Administration. BTW - the JDAM kit is also built in China. Go figure.
If the Spanish really want to prove they are now more pro European, they should buy the German-French made Taurus instead of the Tomahawks.
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