Spain's Aznar questions French "interests" in Iraq

Zawya.com ^ | 10 March 03 | Daniel Trotta

[ganeshpuri89]

Spain's Aznar questions French "interests" in Iraq

MADRID, March 10 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, an active supporter of the United States on Iraq, on Monday linked the "material interests" of France, Russia and China in Iraq to their opposition to the use of force there.

Spain, currently on the U.N. Security Council, has joined the United States and Britain in backing a tough new resolution giving Iraq little time to disarm or face military strikes.

"We don't have any material interests in Iraq...France has material interests in Iraq. Russia has material interests in Iraq. China has material interests in Iraq. We don't have any," Aznar told Telecinco television in drawing a distinction between governments on opposing sides within the U.N. Security Council.

Asked by the interviewer if those interests explained the French, Russian and Chinese positions on Iraq, Aznar said, "That's a question only they can answer."

"Simply, it seems to me they are on the wrong path and should be adding more pressure on (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein...They have the wrong orientation," Aznar said.

Russia has longstanding interests in Iraq with extensive cooperation in the oil sector dating back to Soviet times while France has traditionally been one of Iraq's top trade partners.

Aznar, from the right-of-centre Popular Party, is a personal friend of U.S. President George W. Bush.

"What is the alternative to security today that the United States offers to the world? ... Can you really think about fighting against terrorism without the participation of the United States?" Aznar asked.

Aznar said Iraq was a threat to Spain.

"If in the end military intervention is unavoidable, I will not shed a tear for that regime because it is a threat to everyone, Spain included," he said.

[ganeshpuri89]

Go get 'em Jose!

And this from someone who just last week was complaining to his friend President Bush about Rummy's tough talk while in Europe.

Good for you Jose. We needed something positive today like, for instance, the truth.

[MadIvan]

There was a report earlier that Spain is sending their troops to Turkey.

Regards, Ivan

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks, I wonder how Reuters, AP, and the left wing mediot maggots in the UK and the US will try to spin this.

[glock rocks]

he looks to his country's future.

a realist among politicians. like blair.

[Grampa Dave]

Some great stuff here from Jose!

Spain, currently on the U.N. Security Council, has joined the United States and Britain in backing a tough new resolution giving Iraq little time to disarm or face military strikes.

"We don't have any material interests in Iraq...France has material interests in Iraq. Russia has material interests in Iraq. China has material interests in Iraq. We don't have any," Aznar told Telecinco television in drawing a distinction between governments on opposing sides within the U.N. Security Council.

Asked by the interviewer if those interests explained the French, Russian and Chinese positions on Iraq, Aznar said, "That's a question only they can answer."

[jimbo123]

Freep THE WORM here...

[Tax Government]

All right!

[ganeshpuri89]

“When you have been in power for many years, you lose touch with your friends and with reality,” former Socialist spokesman Eduardo Sotillos said. (re: PM Aznar's support of President Bush)

That, my friends, is from Arab News, Saudi Arabia's first English Daily.

[Joe Boucher]

Viva Spain, Viva Jose.
And thanks for standing by your American friends.

[cynicom]

The greatest fear of all for France, Germany, Russia and China is that US will have their hands on the oil nozzle in the Middle East. They all know full well that we will be there for years to come. For differing reasons it is of vital future concern to all. They could care less about Saddam or the war. It is the long haul presence of US military in the Middle East they do not want.