Under intense pressure from political rivals and an equally hostile public, Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar vowed that Spain would stay in Iraq despite the killing of seven intelligence agents. In an address to the nation made as Defence Minister Federico Trillo was bringing the bodies of the seven home to Madrid, Aznar said Spain would not alter course after committing 1,300 troops to Iraqi reconstruction in August.
"Freedom is under threat from the terrorists," said Aznar, speaking of Spain's "deep pain" over the death of its nationals with the country's toll of fatalities in Iraq now standing at 10.
The seven were killed on Saturday in an ambush south of Baghdad and an eighth Spanish agent was injured.
Despite opposition calls for the Spanish contingent to be brought home Aznar said: "We will fulfil our commitments with loyalty and serenity."
Aznar, who has been a solid ally of London and Washington throughout the Iraq crisis, said the seven slain agents had been doing their job as devoted servicemen looking to create a new, prosperous Iraq.
"They lost their lives doing their duty as professional soldiers, good soldiers working for peace and security.
"Free nations are in Iraq to liberate the Iraqi people from a terrible tyranny and combat an international terrorist network which threatens our whole way of life and freedom."
Aznar insisted the world community had to face up to the issue "with all means at our disposal," adding that the "presence on the ground of the CNI (intelligence) agents is essential to combat terrorism."
Aznar will step down from office ahead of a March general election which his Popular Party (PP) under handpicked choice of successor Mariano Rajoy, could have expected to win -- were it not for the mire in which the conservative administration is ever more deeply embedded in Iraq.
A comparatively buoyant economy compared to its EU neighbours would under normal circumstances likely hand the PP a third consecutive mandate, Aznar having taken office in 1996 following 14 years of Socialist rule.
But the growing death toll since Aznar, in the teeth of massive popular opposition, sent in the troops to serve under Polish command south of Baghdad may yet torpedo his party's poll hopes.
As Trillo headed home to Madrid from Kuwait with the corpses of those slain and one agent who survived the attack the names of the dead were solemnly read out at the start of early afternoon news bulletins as Spain mourned its collective loss.
A Spanish airforce plane bearing the bodies was scheduled to arrive at the military base of Torrejon de Ardoz just outside Madrid, defence ministry sources said.
Ministry sources and Spanish media named the dead as Alberto Martinez Gonzalez, who was heading Spain's intelligence unit in Iraq, Jose Medino Olivera, Jose Carlos Rodriguez Perez, Jose Lucas Egea, Alfonso Vega Calvo, Luis Ignacio Zanon Tarazona and Carlos Baro Ollero.
Saturday's deaths came amid an upsurge in weekend violence which saw two Japanese diplomats and two US soldiers die just as US Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez was Saturday hailing US President George W. Bush's surprise visit and a relative lull in fighting as capping "a great two weeks for the coalition."
The killings swiftly punctured the optimism.
El Pais in its Sunday magazine chose to highlight the Spanish participation in Iraq under the front-page headline: "Spanish soldiers -- a dangerous mission."
Jihadists slaver over the idea of retaking "Al Andulus". Spain is wise in showing that THAT will never happen.
Don't forget, Osama mentioned Spain specifically in one of his earlier messages. The Muslims are still smarting over having been driven out.
BTW, while the press is not supportive of Aznar (on Iraq or anything else), many individual Spaniards I have met seem to have a better understanding of the situation and realize what is at stake here. I'm going to Madrid on Wednesday for a couple of weeks and will report back later.
As Trillo headed home to Madrid from Kuwait with the corpses of those slain and one agent who survived the attack the names of the dead were solemnly read out at the start of early afternoon news bulletins as Spain mourned its collective loss. Ministry sources and Spanish media named the dead as Alberto Martinez Gonzalez, who was heading Spain's intelligence unit in Iraq, Jose Medino Olivera, Jose Carlos Rodriguez Perez, Jose Lucas Egea, Alfonso Vega Calvo, Luis Ignacio Zanon Tarazona and Carlos Baro Ollero.
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Spain's King Juan Carlos professed his profound sorrow over Saturday's attack.
"We are grateful to all the people who serve Spain and Spain's democracy beyond our borders fighting terrorism and guaranteeing freedom and democracy," Justice Minister Jose Maria Michavila said.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/7370841.htm
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Rest in peace, brave allies.