Spanish press mocks Zapatero over US snub

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | November 12, 2004 | By Isambard Wilkinson in Madrid

[aculeus]

The Spanish Socialist prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, yesterday faced a barrage of derision over his government's anti-Americanism following a snub by President George W Bush.

Mr Zapatero was one of the first premiers to send a congratulatory telegram to Mr Bush after his election victory last week.

But, in what was a stinging confirmation of the poor state of relations between Washington and Madrid, he has yet to receive a reply.

Mr Zapatero had also telephoned Mr Bush before the election result was made official but was not put through to the president.

Spain's newspaper columnists, the opposition People's Party and satirists have made much of the silence between Washington and Madrid.

Mr Zapatero wrote himself firmly into the White House's black books by accusing Mr Bush and Tony Blair of lying over the reasons for going to war with Iraq.

In the summer he immediately honoured an election pledge to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq.

He then backed John Kerry in the presidential election and cancelled a standing invitation for US forces to participate in Spain's annual military parade.

Anti-war policies may be popular with the public, but even supportive sections of the media have said that the prime minister's anti-American stance had gone too far.

Most sectors of the Spanish press concluded that the telephone spat was "infantile" but that Mr Zapatero needed to act fast to recover Spain's loss of face abroad.

A columnist for the conservative newspaper ABC, stated bluntly: "Zapatero has put his foot in all of our arses".

White House officials denied there had been a snub and said that Mr Bush had not yet had time to contact Mr Zapatero as he was working his way through a list of calls.

However Mr Bush has already spoken to the French president, Jacques Chirac, and German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the main critics of the Iraq war.

And to rub Mr Zapatero's nose in the transatlantic mess further, Mr Bush has invited King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia to a supper during their visit later this month.

US diplomatic sources quoted in the newspaper La Vanguardia said the king will serve as a bridge toward restoring dialogue between the two governments.

[expatpat]

Yeah, the Spaniard are close to 50% conservative, much like the US. Don't write those folk off.

[FreedomCalls]

"... columnist for the conservative newspaper ABC, stated bluntly: "Zapatero has put his foot in all of our arses".

Had Kerry been elected his nose would have been up there.

[mlocher]

White House officials denied there had been a snub and said that Mr Bush had not yet had time to contact Mr Zapatero as he was working his way through a list of calls

zapatero is near the end of the alphabet...

[aquila48]

White House officials denied there had been a snub and said that Mr Bush had not yet had time to contact Mr Zapatero as he was working his way through a list of calls.

I believe it - after all zapatero does start with a z!!

[mlocher]

I hope Freepers will have enough forgiveness and class in their hearts to welcome Spain as allies again without too much resentment, SHOULD Spain earn it by kicking Zapatero out in the next election.

our tent is large and we always welcome like-minded souls, even if there is a little bit of disagreement.

[raptor29]

This is one of things I most like about the Bushies. Why be phony to those who have undermined you in the past? Screw them, and make it public. And make them have to answer for their actions. It's a beautiful thing to see.

[Qwinn]

Sorry, the "no one deserves" to be treated like the French should definetly have excepted the French themselves. I figured that was implicit ;) But the French have spent 200 years properly earning our deep scorn and contempt, there's no single or even dozen acts the Spanish are capable of that should equate.

Qwinn

[Mount Athos]

[i]"Yeah, the Spaniard are close to 50% conservative, much like the US. Don't write those folk off."[/i]

I agree with this. Only a few percent shifted after the islamic terrorist attacks in Spain.

Spain has had the most incredible anti-terrorism police/intelligence investigative efforts. Their judiciary simply could not be better or stronger on anti-terrorism.
I have hope for the Spanish, they are nowhere near as lost as the French.

[processing please hold]

Spain punked out.

[Soul Seeker]

When they elected to choose Zapatero as their representative they encouraged terrorists worldwide in the belief they could successfully alter a Government's foreign policy through threat or practice of violence. I put that on par with France's actions throughout the last few years.

However, we're a forgiving people. If they toss him out in the next election, they'll be accepted back on a conditional basis. The condition being they must prove they won't run at the next display of intimidation.

I do note about a third did not vote for Zapatero. I also note the bravery of the troops that did serve, and whatever their views, hold them with respect for that service. And, I remain fond of Aznar.

But I am immensely enjoying G.W.'s treatment of Zapatero. LOL

[section9]

We blamed a lot of Spain's attitude on Zapatero, but consider, the Spanish reacted to the March 11th bombings exactly how al-Qaeda wished them to.

The Arabs slaughtered the Spaniards, and in turn, the Spaniards blamed us and the Brits.

Zapatero's election was the will of the Spanish electorate. They were firmly anti-war. Indeed, they weren't all that hot on the whole idea of the War on Terror. Further, Zapatero ordered an immediate withdraw from Iraq and taunted the U.S. while our forces were in the midst of the first battle of Fallujah and the initial Sadrist uprising.

Bush and his people have long memories. That is good.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[jungleboy]

Qwinn - Also, the Spainish MEDIA was spinning AGAINST USA/Iraq at the time (pre-election/train bombing)!

[wrathof59]

"It's worth remembering that not all Europeans are socialist appeasers. Some are just like us, and must be totally ashamed of what their governments have become."

Yes, but there's a 90% chance that their children will be full blown socialists.

After one more generation, there will be little common sense left in the European populace. If there is any European populace left after the Islamic maniacs have their blood letting.

[Rocky]

LOL! I love that side-by-side comparison.

Bring back Aznar.

[misusu21]

stan alone complex

[elizabetty]

Socialists? We don't need no stinkin' Socialists!

[bubman]

Spain is irrelevant!

Podia haber sido, no cera ahora es nada!!!

[eagle11]

Throw the bum out and things'll get back to normal!

[prairiebreeze]

Aznar himself wasn't in the running, IIRC. His party's candidate was defeated by the socialists after the Madrid bombings.

Prairie

[citizencon]

Sorry, Zapatero dug his own grave. Receiving forgiveness from President Bush would only help Zapatero politically. The rift should remain for as long as Zapatero is in office. President Bush and his supporters have no falling out with the Spanish people.