In a move that might help muffle criticism of a Socialist pledge to pull troops out of Iraq, Spain’s incoming prime minister is considering increasing the number of Spanish soldiers guarding the fragile peace in Afghanistan, sources in his party said Tuesday. Less than two weeks after the deadly train bombings in Madrid, the incoming prime minister, José Luis RodrÃÂguez Zapatero, wants to signal his commitment to fight terrorism and show the United States that Spain remains a loyal ally, said one of the sources, a high-ranking party official. He added that the new government wants "to send a message that the Socialists do not believe in appeasement."
| Kinda late for that, isn't it? |
Since Zapatero’s unexpected election victory March 14, he has faced two tasks: responding to overwhelming opposition to the American-led war in Iraq among his supporters and staying on the good side of the Bush administration as its seeks international cooperation in its war on terror. Zapatero has confirmed a campaign pledge to pull Spain’s 1,300 troops out of Iraq unless the United Nations assumes greater control by June 30. Critics, notably in the United States, accused him of handing a victory to terrorists. A decision to beef up Spain’s military presence in Afghanistan may help the Socialist government find acceptance at home and abroad, said political analysts like José Miguel de ElÃÂas, director of the Sigma Dos polling institute. "It’s a very interesting proposal, because it offers an international compromise while responding to a demand by the people to fight terrorism," he said.
| It pleases neither party: The U.S. will remain cheezed because the Spanish are leaving us in the lurch in Iraq. The turbans will remain cheezed because Afghanistan is home. Trying to have it both way, Señor Z is getting it neither. |
There was no reaction from the U.S. Embassy here Tuesday night.
| Perhaps a polite sniff, but nothing more. |
A traumatized population, hardened by years of regional terrorism but unaccustomed to such slaughter, expects a firm resolve of the government in the fight against terrorism, ElÃÂas said.
| If that was the case, they would have voted for somebody who was doing so... |
He pointed out that anti-terrorist measures by successive Spanish governments always garnered majority support in polls. One of the main reasons the war was so unpopular was its perceived lack of international legitimacy, after the U.S. and Britain failed to win support from other members of the UN Security Council last year. By contrast, the international force in Afghanistan has the blessing of the UN and operates under NATO command. In August, the European Union’s chief military arm, Eurocorps, is expected to take command. With the UN, NATO and the EU on board, increasing the Spain’s 125-strong contingent in Afghanistan would be a far easier sell than Iraq, ElÃÂas said.
| Maybe increasing it to 15 or 20,000 troops would do it. Nothing less than a division. |
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