February 05, 2004

Spanish leader reiterates support for U.S.

  
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a staunch ally of the United States in Iraq, told Congress yesterday that Spain has no desire to turn Europe into a counterweight to American economic and military power.
   
 "The Atlantic relationship strengthens Europeans and Americans alike," Mr. Aznar said at a joint session of Congress.
   
 "As a European, I have no wish for an alternative to the trans-Atlantic relationship. Wanting a strong European Union, as Spain does, and being at the vanguard of Europe, as Spain is, does not entail being a counterpower to the United States."
    
He mentioned neither Germany nor France by name but his comments marked an indirect rebuke of both nations, which actively opposed the Iraq war and whose leaders have called on Europe to act as a check on global American influence.
    
Mr. Aznar was the first Spanish prime minister to address Congress.
[...]
The 30-minute speech, delivered in Spanish, was interrupted a dozen times by cheering, applause and standing ovations.
    
Vice President Dick Cheney introduced Mr. Aznar while Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and other members of the Cabinet sat in the front row.
    
Mr. Aznar also reiterated Spain's commitment to the war on terrorism.
    
Despite public opinion polls in Spain, which show the majority opposed the war, Mr. Aznar said that fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq was necessary to defend the principles of freedom and democracy.
   
 Much of the speech focused on future U.S.-European relations. He spoke of trade liberalization, privatization and freedom as tools to promote economic development.
[...]
He added that Latin America should be part of that future.
[...]
"The Atlantic relationship will not be complete until it embraces the American continent in its entirety."
    
He took a parting swipe at Fidel Castro's communist Cuba.
    
"The Caribbean island is on of the last remaining anomalies of history, not just in the Americas but anywhere in the world," he said, noting his own family roots in Cuba.
   
 "I would like to reiterate here my desire and hope that, before long, Cuba can be welcomed into the fold of free nations."

What a great day to see this!
As President Bush says, "Out of bad, can come good." and one of the good things that came out of the bad of the 9/11 attacks was our renewed friendship, alliance and collaboration with Spain.
Bush's love of Hispanic culture and people is reflected in his marvelous collegial friendship with PM Aznar, as is his "hail-fellow-well-met" symbiosis with other world leaders like Britain's Tony Blair, Australia's John Howard, Japan's Koziumi and Poland's Kwasniewski.
I find it heartening to see Spain and her leader emerge from the dark decades of Franco with such verve and "can do" spirit!
I think that Spain may be entering a new Golden Age.
Viva Aznar! Viva Bush!