What sense does it make to stay if you're not the USofA?
AP Interview: Powell says more countries may follow Spain in leaving coalition
BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
Monday, April 19, 2004
©2004 Associated Press
(04-19) 19:52 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that one or more countries may follow Spain's lead and withdraw peacekeeping troops from Iraq "based on their own political situation." Hours later, Honduras said it was pulling out its 370 soldiers.
Last month, Spain's new Socialist prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, "indicated the troops would be staying through the end of June, which is when they are supposed to come out," Powell said in an interview with The Associated Press.
And, Powell said, Zapatero had said that Spanish officials would then examine a U.N. resolution on peacekeeping if one was ready by then.
"And suddenly, troops are being withdrawn," Powell said with obvious disappointment with Zapatero's announcement Sunday he was ordering their departure "as soon as possible."
