Aznar Rules Out Spanish Troops in Iraq

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

(*Editor's Note: This editor is gritting his teeth at the moment. Aznar was
perfectly willing to defy overwhelming public opposition to war in Iraq
within his own nation so he could help Mr. Bush paint a veneer of
internationality over what is essentially a unilateral American attack on
Iraq. He won't help with the fighting, though. No sir. - wrp)

Aznar Rules Out Spanish Troops in Iraq
Associated Press 

Tuesday 18 March 2003

Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on Tuesday ruled out sending Spanish combat
troops to take part in a U.S.-led attack on Iraq but said he would deploy
military personnel and equipment in a support capacity and offer warplanes
to defend Turkey. 

``Spain will not participate in any attack or offensive missions,'' Aznar
told Parliament, ending weeks of speculation as to whether Spain would back
up its fervent political support of the United States by putting troops in
harm's way. 

``As a result, there will not be any Spanish troops in the theater of
operations,'' said Aznar, whose backing of Washington defies polls showing a
vast majority of Spaniards opposed to war in Iraq even with U.N. backing.

Opposition parties and critics had demanded that Aznar clearly define
whether Spain would participate in an attack on Iraq that now seems
imminent. 

Aznar took part in the Azores island summit Sunday that backed the call for
early military action to disarm Iraq and oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Spain had also joined the United States and Britain in co-sponsoring a
doomed draft U.N. resolution seeking authorization for war to disarm Iraq.

Aznar's address to Parliament, the fourth on Iraq in as many weeks, was
interrupted several times by opposition deputies.

As Aznar first stood at the podium, before he even opened his mouth, five
United Left deputies raised a banner that read: ``War No, Aznar Resign.''

The premier told the lower chamber that Spain had no military commitments
beyond those already covered by bilateral treaties with the United States.

He said its support to the United States and Britain would include a
hospital vessel, a mine-clearing unit, a team of chemical detection experts,
a frigate and an oil tanker vessel, with personnel totaling about 900
people. 

If Iraq attacks neighboring Turkey, he said, Spain has offered NATO six F-18
warplanes to help defend that country, plus a Hercules C-130 refueling plane
and a search and rescue helicopter.

The opposition jeered when Aznar said Spain would cooperate ``actively in
humanitarian aid operations to civilians'' in response to a call from U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Spain's opposition parties are united in opposing any war on Iraq without
U.N. approval. ``This war will sow hate,'' Socialist opposition leader Jose
Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said in his response to Aznar.

Referring to Aznar's offer to help in the reconstruction of Iraq, Zapatero
asked, ``Why instead of offering reconstruction don't you stop the
destruction?'' 

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