Miscellaneous
SPAIN INVOLVEMENT AND UTILITARIAN DIMENSION IN 2003 IRAQ INVASION
MILITARY ACTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SPAIN FLAG
SPAIN FLAG
Regarding the former Spanish Prime Minister José MarÃa Aznar : 'In terms of influence and international support for our goals, Spain emerged a winner,' writes the former conservative prime minister in a letter to current Foreign Minister José Manuel GarcÃa-Margallo...Aznar says that he supported the Iraq invasion 'out of a pro-Atlantic conviction, because it was strategically good for Spain, and out of a basic sense of political reciprocity: you cannot ask a friend [Bush] for help, and later deny that same friend your aid when he requests it.' (El Pais)
According to the Parliamentary Control of Security Policy out of a Survey on States involved in the Iraq War 2003, it appeared the following about SPAIN :
Spain had 150,700 active troops in 2003 and after the democratization of Spain, the country joined NATO in 1982 and the EU in 1986. There were 2,030 US troops based in Spain, mostly from the navy.
On January 23, 2003, Foreign Minister Ana Palacio told parliament that the Spanish government would allow the U.S. to use military bases in Spain in the event of a war against Iraq. She added that the Spanish government had also discussed the possibility of Spanish participation in an international military action against Iraq with the US government.
Spain had 150,700 active troops in 2003 and after the democratization of Spain, the country joined NATO in 1982 and the EU in 1986. There were 2,030 US troops based in Spain, mostly from the navy.
On January 23, 2003, Foreign Minister Ana Palacio told parliament that the Spanish government would allow the U.S. to use military bases in Spain in the event of a war against Iraq. She added that the Spanish government had also discussed the possibility of Spanish participation in an international military action against Iraq with the US government.
On June 12, 2003, Spain announced that it would take deputy command of a multinational brigade deployed to the Polish occupation zone. This brigade consisted of 1,300 Spanish troops plus 1,200 soldiers from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua and was to be fully deployed in September 2003. In August 2003, the US State Department announced that Spain was contributing troops to the Coalition.
Prime Minister Aznar signed the Letter of the Eight in January 2003 supporting military action against Iraq. In the UN Security Council, Spain, as a non permanent member, joined the United States and Britain & co-sponsored a draft resolution seeking authorization for war to disarm Iraq. On March 20, 2003, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar reiterated his support for the U.S.in its war against Iraq. He argued that it was not the US, but Iraq who had violated international law. The White House listed Spain as publicly committed to the Coalition in its March 27, 2003, statement.On the same day a US Senate resolution lauded Spain for its 'strong support for the Coalition, including its support for the January 30, 2003, declaration.
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Ruby Bird Iraq Invasion Prime Minister Spain Illegal Mass Destruction Arms Massacre Illegal Maria Jose Aznar 2003
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