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Spain to withdraw all troops from Iraq in less than six weeks

MADRID (AP) - Spain started the process of pulling its forces out of Iraq on April 19, and Defense Minister Jose Bono said the withdrawal of all 1,300 troops would be completed in less than six weeks.

Newly elected Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero had announced a day earlier that he would fulfill his campaign promise to bring home troops unless the United Nations takes control of the occupation of Iraq by June 30.

Zapatero said he had determined that condition would not be met by the deadline.

U.S. President George W. Bush lamented Spain's decision and cautioned Zapatero to avoid actions that might give "false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said

Bono and Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos declined to comment on Bush's remarks, which Spanish media played up as confrontational, although Moratinos insisted that the United States, a firm ally of former conservative Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, was still "a friend and an Atlantic partner."

Meanwhile, suicide attackers unleashed car bombings against police buildings in Iraq's biggest Shiite city, Basra, on April 21, striking rush-hour crowds and killing at least 68 people and wounding around 200

Among the dead were 16 children - 10 kindergartners and six girls aged between 10 and 15 - who were incinerated in their school bus on the way to school.

In Fallujah, the bloodiest battlefield in April, an agreement aimed at bringing peace to the city ran into trouble. Insurgents attacked U.S. Marines April 21, prompting fighting that killed 20 guerrillas. Marines said most weapons turned in by residents were unusable, undermining a crucial attempt at disarming fighters.

Shukan ST: April 30, 2004

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National News Spain to withdraw all troops from Iraq in less than six weeks MADRID (AP) - Spain started the process of pulling its forces out of Iraq on April 19, and Defense Minister Jose Bono said the withdrawal of all 1,300 troops would be completed in less than six weeks. Newly elected Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero had announced a day earlier that he would fulfill his campaign promise to bring home troops unless the United Nations takes control of the occupation of Iraq by June 30. Zapatero said he had determined that condition would not be met by the deadline. U.S. President George W. Bush lamented Spain's decision and cautioned Zapatero to avoid actions that might give "false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bono and Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos declined to comment on Bush's remarks, which Spanish media played up as confrontational, although Moratinos insisted that the United States, a firm ally of former conservative Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, was still "a friend and an Atlantic partner." Meanwhile, suicide attackers unleashed car bombings against police buildings in Iraq's biggest Shiite city, Basra, on April 21, striking rush-hour crowds and killing at least 68 people and wounding around 200 Among the dead were 16 children - 10 kindergartners and six girls aged between 10 and 15 - who were incinerated in their school bus on the way to school. In Fallujah, the bloodiest battlefield in April, an agreement aimed at bringing peace to the city ran into trouble. Insurgents attacked U.S. Marines April 21, prompting fighting that killed 20 guerrillas. Marines said most weapons turned in by residents were unusable, undermining a crucial attempt at disarming fighters. Shukan ST: April 30, 2004 (C) All rights reserved