MARINO
04-27-2004, 09:46 AM
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar warned that the new Spanish government's decision to pull out troops from Iraq (news - web sites) will undermine international support for his country.
Aznar's successor as premier, socialist Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, announced his decision to withdraw more than 1,400 Spanish troops from Iraq on April 18, in line with a pre-election pledge.
"The government of Mr. Zapatero should not be taken by surprise if, in future, Spain fails to secure essential support in the international democratic community," Aznar wrote in The Wall Street Journal.
"When someone abandons his post, he cannot expect to receive more support than he who remains," the former Spanish leader added. "This factor should have been enough to make the government think harder before taking its decision."
Aznar said he believed Spain needed to show more solidarity with countries that work for freedom across the globe, as well as with those who aspire to pursue their individual liberties.
He said Spanish foreign policy must reflect realities dictated by the war on terror.
"We will not make this terror disappear by averting our gaze and fleeing from reality," the ex-premier pointed out. "Instead, we will find that we face it worse prepared than before, and more insecure than ever."
Aznar's successor as premier, socialist Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, announced his decision to withdraw more than 1,400 Spanish troops from Iraq on April 18, in line with a pre-election pledge.
"The government of Mr. Zapatero should not be taken by surprise if, in future, Spain fails to secure essential support in the international democratic community," Aznar wrote in The Wall Street Journal.
"When someone abandons his post, he cannot expect to receive more support than he who remains," the former Spanish leader added. "This factor should have been enough to make the government think harder before taking its decision."
Aznar said he believed Spain needed to show more solidarity with countries that work for freedom across the globe, as well as with those who aspire to pursue their individual liberties.
He said Spanish foreign policy must reflect realities dictated by the war on terror.
"We will not make this terror disappear by averting our gaze and fleeing from reality," the ex-premier pointed out. "Instead, we will find that we face it worse prepared than before, and more insecure than ever."