Gustavo Arístegui - First NATO mission task to train the local security forces

The Former Foreign spokesman for the Popular Parliamentary Group, Gustavo de Arístegui, has said that the approval of the first NATO mission in Iraq - whose task is to train the local security forces - supposes a new disavowal of the "disastrous" foreign policy undertaken by the Zapatero Cabinet. In Arístegui's opinion, the decision adopted by the Alliance supports the international presence in that country and shows that "the one who is in blatant contradiction with UN resolution 1547 is Zapatero and his decision to leave Iraq."

Arístegui recalled that one of the most important points of the summit that NATO held in Istanbul( 28 to 29 June , 2004) was related to the training in Iraq of the security forces of that country; and that both France and the Spanish socialist government were directly opposed to it.

"Mr. Zapatero's follow-through, saying yes to everyone, and, at that time, saying yes to France, has meant today, once the approval of this mission has been known, a new slight," said Arístegui . "Mr. Zapatero - he added - has made a bad calculation of his forces in the Alliance."

For the popular spokesman, the disavowal of socialist foreign policy is even greater if one recalls the "irresponsible" statements made by the Prime Minister during his visit to Tunisia, when he urged the Coalition countries to follow his "example" and withdraw troops from Iraq.

Arístegui did not hide his concern about the role that Spain could play if Zapatero continues in the line of the speech he delivered before the United Nations General Assembly. In the opinion of the popular spokesman, the NATO decision shows that there is sufficient legal, and political basis to justify the presence of the multinational force in Iraq. "The one who is in flagrant contradiction with UN resolution 1547 is Mr. Zapatero, and his decision to leave Iraq," he said.