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| Iraq |
| Aznar on surprise visit to troops in Iraq |
| 2003-12-20 |
| Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar paid a surprise visit to Iraq Saturday, flying in with his defense minister to inspect Spanish troops deployed in the south of the country, national radio reported. Aznar left Madrid on Friday for Kuwait where he went by helicopter to Diwaniyah, the radio’s special correspondent said, becoming the third top western politician — after US President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld — to travel to the war-torn country in three weeks. Aznar was a staunch backer of the US-led invasion of Iraq, and contributed some 1,300 troops despite virulent public opposition to the attack without a UN mandate. A delegation of 17 people, among them the Spanish Defense Minister Federico Trillo, accompanied Aznar for this visit of several hours to the city 160 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. The prime minister was to lunch with Spanish soldiers and meet with local authorities before flying back to Madrid in the afternoon. On December 12, the Spanish government decided to prolong the stay of the troops by six months. Spain has lost 10 men so far since it deployed soldiers and intelligence officers to Iraq — the most serious attack coming on November 29 when seven intelligence agents died in an ambush. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #8 Wasn't the Polish PM in Bagdhad the day Bremer unexpectedly boltered for DC? |
| Posted by: JAB 2003-12-20 9:17:52 PM |
| #7 I think Straw has made a tour as well. Will the next be from the UK, Poland or Italy. I am betting on Italy. Be interesting to see the result on Aznar's approval rating among the Spainish people. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-20 5:21:37 PM |
| #6 #4 What would you say if I told that Bush has (super) bowls? That it's a case of the "bowls of compassion"? *smirk* Ed Becerra |
| Posted by: Ed Becerra 2003-12-20 3:51:13 PM |
#5 ...the third top western politician — after US President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld...Apparently in this Arab paper Rummy counts and HRC ("Broomstick One" heh) doesn't. New trend: Head of Government popping in to visit troops. Good for morale. |
| Posted by: Glenn (not Reynolds) 2003-12-20 2:11:57 PM |
| #4 Ptah Your spanish needs improvement: the word is COJONES not cajones (drawers in Spanish). What would you say if I told that Bush has (super) bowls? |
| Posted by: JFM 2003-12-20 11:23:47 AM |
| #3 Umm, I think you mean cojones. [smile] Yeah, he's got 'em. Wish he were staying on - I worry about Spain after he leaves office next Spring. |
| Posted by: rkb 2003-12-20 11:22:52 AM |
| #2 Jeez, I'm impressed. Makes sense... typical... remember that it was from the Spanish that the Texans learned to be cowboys. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-20 11:21:37 AM |
| #1 And the First Euro president to show he has cajones. Muchas Gracias |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-12-20 10:34:28 AM |