Hawks cry foul
Published on March 16, 2004 By O G San In International
Sometimes I want to kick the TV. Last night was one of those times. On a British politics programme last night the great and the good were discussing Sunday’s surprise election of the Socialist Party’s Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as Spain’s new Prime Minister. The reaction of panellists to this turn of events was largely negative. The historian Timothy Garton-Ash lamented the fact that the Spanish electorate were marching to al-Qaida’s tune. Former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo criticised Zapatero for reiterating his opposition to the Iraq war following his election.

So this is what we’ve come to? The rhetoric from the war capitals always speaks of their war as a struggle for democracy and freedom. Yet it’s these same people who describe the democratic transfer of power in a European country as” a good day for al-Qaida”. It’s these same people, claiming to defend free speech, who tell the Spanish PM to shut up. Some democracy, some freedom. Vote how you like, say what you like - as long as you agree with Bush. This is the message.

All this talk of al-Qaida having “won the Spanish election” is contemptible rubbish. Such a line of thought conveniently ignores the fact that the Spanish people were overwhelmingly against the war in Iraq long before al-Qaida attacked Madrid. Some surveys say 4%, some 5%; I even saw one that claimed a massive 9% of Spaniards supported the war in Iraq. Either way, it’s clear that the vast majority were opposed.

In spite of this, up until Thursday the ruling Popular Party were ahead in the polls. Now, I’m no expert on Spanish politics but, putting these two facts together, it’s fair to conclude that, prior to the Madrid bombings, the Iraq war was not a major issue in the election. It's also seems fair to say that such a state of affairs suited the Popular Party.

The bombings in Madrid brought Iraq back to the forefront of the election. This was bad news for the ruling party, hence their despicable attempt to pin the blame for the massacre on ETA. This ploy back-fired spectacularly. A section of the Spanish electorate, reminded of their anger from last year, stirred from their apathy to propel the Socialists to victory.

Spain is a democracy. It now has a government which reflects the view of the vast majority of its citizens on the Iraq war. Rather than railing against “cowardice” or telling people to keep quiet, hawks should reflect on the fact that the Iraq war is still massively unpopular across Europe, both “old” and “new”. One year on from the beginning of the conflict, populations in pro-war states are becoming more and more convinced that their leaders lied to get them into war and continue to lie to cover it up.

I really hope that Britain isn’t next on al-Qaida’s list. I hope that June’s European elections are held in peace. But I also hope that, attack or no attack, the British people go out and vote for anti-war candidates. On June 13th 2004, remember February 15th 2003.

Comments
on Mar 16, 2004
I agree completely. I don't understand why anyone supports the war in Iraq.
on Mar 16, 2004
I actually support the war in Iraq but totally agree with you on the rest of your support. The Spanih people see Iraq and terror as two separate issues and have voted as such. The new prime minister has not only reiterated his support for the war on terror but strengthened it. He however intends to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq. Perfectly reasonable decision.

Paul.
on Mar 16, 2004
Atlast! an article here on this site I agree with, whole-heartedly. Of course neo-con jr. reps. will say it's "bowing to terrorist"
It's ELECTING ( not (s)electing) a political party that will act on behalf of it's people.
Foriegn concept to Americans_despite how many times they preach it, it's empty preaching.
Do as I say and not as I do.
" we got it" in Europe a long time ago, that is_ The Americans have have no clue what Real democracy or freedom or fairness.
Brad and his right wing friends -at-work (Every article sounds like Brad Wardell wrote it! especially the disdain for the big bad EU...You folks are good followers.
You can Get It too, Pal...
on Mar 16, 2004
This war was brought to you by...
link didn't work above. sorry.
on Mar 16, 2004
I don't think we have a problem with the Democratic process. What we have a problem with is the apathetic spite shown by pulling out what was already a token effort. The war is over, now the Iraqi people need stability, but do the Spanish majority care? Nope. They deny what little they are doing simply to placate their EU cousins.

Personally? I don't think it is cowardice. I don't think it has much to do with the bombings at all. I think it is simple, economic, EU politics. Those same people who claimed to oppose the ware because they cared about the Iraqi people now are going to desert them to make a political point. Maybe they'll gain bit of influence in the EU. Good for them. I think we need a nice, long cooling off period with mainland Europe. I see little benefit in their acquaintance at this point. They are opponents in all but rhetoric, and we should treat them as such.
on Mar 16, 2004
If the attack on Madrid actually affected the outcome of the election, then it does seem as though Al-Qaida did win the election for the Socialists.