I just heard that Spain is now supporting the US against Iraq. Has anybody heard about this?

You may find it in every spanish newspaper:

(El Mundo) MADRID.- El presidente del Gobierno, José María Aznar, anunció en el Congreso que España apoyará a EEUU si decide atacar Irak para evitar otro 11 de septiembre. Zapatero respondió que no respaldará una acción que no cuente con el beneplácito de la ONU y pidió al Gobierno que consulte 'cada paso' a la Cámara.

(El Mundo) MADRID.- The president, José María Aznar anounced in the Congress that Spain will support USA if this country decides to attach Iraq, in order to avoid another 11th of September. Zapatero (head of the main oposition party, PSOE) answered that he will not support any action that doesn't count with the beneplacit of the UN, and asked the Government to consult 'every step' with the Congress.

How was my translation?

The link: El Mundo\'s article

The situation is that Aznar has said that he will support a US attack to Iraq even if the UN doesn't give permission. Thus, Spain is the second country to do so after UK.
The oposition (not only PSOE, but I think every other party than PP) believes that Spain should support an attack only if it is ordered by UN.

I have had a discussion today with my friends (today is the birthday of one of those friends...) regarding this issue. It is a controversial one indeed. Some polls said that 52% of spaniards is against such attack, while 32% is for.

I don't really have a clear opinion on this...

Fernando

Once again I think Aznar has made a very wise choice. We must ALL work together to stamp out fires BEFORE they become wildfires. Whether it's ETA, or Hamas, or Al-Quida,or Iraq, sooner is FAR better than later.
viva Great Britain, Spain, and America!

And Vermont! Those commie bastards! Nuke 'em I say!

My point: Avoid more wars. We clearly can assume that the Al-Qaida group are terrorists, even though the perpetrators of the 11-S attack are all dead. In fact, the majority of them apparently knew nothing of the plans until they were on the airplanes. Therefore the remaining members of the group are conspirators and should be arrested and charged in court as such. Conspirators in crimes against humanity.

No more bombings please. Michigan was not bombed flat looking for Timothy McVeigh's accomplices. Pakistan was not bombed because it developed a nuclear bomb, nor was Israel. The US should be putting it's money into schools and hospitals, not aircraft carriers.

Asterault,

Although I agree with your statement for the most part, there's a big difference between Michigan & Iraq. Michigan wasn't protecting McVeigh, whereas Iraq is protecting and aiding al-Qaeda.

Regardless of how much money the US put into education, and humanitarian efforts, al-Qaeda would still exist, and be an active force, if they aren't dealt with. Since Iraq, and a few other nations don't recognize the need to turn these people over for justice, and continue to support their effort, we really have no alternative but go after them. I'm quite certain that diplomatic routes would be laughed at, and Americans would continue to die in the future, because we did nothing.

Although I don't support war, I realize that the only thing that will bring al-Qaeda to its knees is the fact that there won't be safe havens for them to hide, and plot their next act against helpless civilians.

As for putting money into nations for economic growth, and education, I'm reminded that it doesn't make sense to hand money to a nation that postures against the US, and would use all or part of the money we gave them to support activities directed against Americans - especially if they include terrorism.

No. It's time to send a message to nations that would support and harbor terrorists that there are nations on this earth who will do whatever is necessary to end their involvement. If that means taking out Saddam Insane by attacking Iraq, I'm not going to cry for him, but I'd gladly be there for the people of Iraq, under a fair and impartial government, in helping them rebuild their nation in a democratic format.

If we do nothing, terrorist acts will grow to devastating levels. It will lead to full scale war, which nobody on earth wants. It's better to end it all now, instead of turning it into another world war.

Wolf (Not pleased by whichever option we have. )

Another hot debate, I see. Let's just try to keep it relative to Spain as toddy would like it that way. Thanks.

Sorry. I'll stop posting about it, it's got nothing to do with this board.

Uhhh... to get back on topic, uhhh, well... Spain starts with an "S"!

I wonder if any spanish nationals lost their lives in 9/11 attack, and if so, then it seems to me that al-Qaeda and spain belong to same topic , same page, same thread, same discussion??

Al-Qaeda and what it represents is a threat to every democratic nation and institution in the world, and spain may have a very important role in this fight due to it's geographical location , whether it wants it or not.

I don't know anything about troubles brewing in Michigan, just in case I always take a long detour around Ann Arbour.

As a cycling fan I wanted to point out that there is a full co-operation in many areas between US and Spain.

For example today in 6. stage of Vuelta , Granada- La Panderas ( Jaen), spanish rider Heras, riding for US team USPS, also known as Lance's team, had his first stage win riding in Vuelta a Espana.

Seemless international co-operation with excellent results, why, maybe next year Bush and Aznar could ride for ONCE or USPS as domestiques.

Hi Zzeus, to answer your question:

2-3 spaniards lost their lives on 9/11
28 Al Qaeda members have been imprisoned in Spain so far
1090 spanish soldiers are detached in Afghanistan

USA is also using its bases in Spain by now. Yesterday three ships departed from the Rota sea-port (US carrier Nassau and its escort) to a destination in the Indic Ocean.

I think this topic has something to do with Spain...

Fernando