PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF SPAIN

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF SPAIN

Concluding an intense four-day visit to the United States, the Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon that the fight against terrorism, regardless of its origin, was a fight in which all countries were involved. 

"It is a fight that we are all involved in, no matter where we come from and regardless of the origins of terrorism", he said.  While the fight against terrorism was a difficult struggle, Spain believed in the values of civilization and freedom.  "We want to continue to live in free, democratic, open, tolerant societies", he added. 

Prime Minister Aznar, who was introduced by the interim Head of the Department of Public Information, Shashi Tharoor, said his four-day visit to Washington, D.C., and New York had made visible the "excellent state" of bilateral relations between Spain and the United States.  That relationship had been strengthened by the political statement signed by the two countries at the beginning of January and ratified by President George W. Bush on his visit to Madrid in June.  At that time, President Bush had expressed full solidarity in the fight against terrorism.  Since then, the events of 11 September had further united the two countries in their intent to combat threats to their respective democracies and peoples. 

The bilateral relations between the United States and Spain were excellent, not only from a political and economic point of view, but also from the standpoint of the fight against terrorism, he said.  Spain had been commended for its position and contribution to the struggle against terrorism.  The cooperation between Spain and the United States was under way; it was working; and it would be strengthened substantially in the months to come.

Mr. Aznar said that seeing the devastating effects of the recent terrorist attack in New York City first-hand had increased his determination to win the battle against terrorism.

Regarding the situation in Afghanistan, Mr. Aznar said he was pleased with the fall of the Taliban.  He also knew how important it was to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people and to make every effort, from a humanitarian standpoint, to ensure that assistance was brought to the Afghan population.  All steps had to be taken to establish a multi-ethnic, pluralistic, broad-based government.  Those steps must be as effective and rapid as possible.

On the situation in the Middle East, Mr. Aznar said both President Bush's recent address to the General Assembly and the statement by United States Secretary of State Colin Powell were very positive.  The time of promises was coming to an end in the Middle East.  It was now important to have results on the table.  The frameworks for peace initiatives already existed and were well defined.  Political will, however, was lacking.  Concrete political will was needed before it was too late. 

During his visit, Mr. Aznar said he had also reviewed the situation in the Ibero-American world.  Regarding certain economic initiatives, he had discussed the special responsibility of the United States and Spain to support Argentina in its process of stability and reform.  Mr. Aznar had also discussed

the Spanish presidency of the European Union, the strengthening of European integration and the relationship between Europe and the United States.  The situation in Russia had also been discussed, both from the standpoint of the European Union and Spain.

Mr. Aznar had also met with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, and the President of the Stock Exchange to discuss economic developments.  While it was true that the current economic situation was difficult, some projections had been too pessimistic.  He believed there were signs of economic recovery and a strengthening of the global economy in 2002, starting in particular in the second half of the year.

The subject of Mr. Aznar's meeting with the Secretary-General Kofi Annan included matters related to Afghanistan, humanitarian assistance to that country and the issue of terrorism, including recent resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council on the matter.  Mr. Aznar had also discussed the upcoming United Nations Conference on Ageing to be held in Madrid in April 2002 with the Secretary-General, who had confirmed his participation in that Conference.  The situation in the Middle East had also been discussed.

Asked whether he thought democracy would be established in Afghanistan, Mr. Aznar said that all nations would have to be persistent in their efforts for Afghanistan.  Spain was prepared to make all necessary contributions, including humanitarian, materiel or deployment.  The tyrannical Taliban regime was about to disappear, and the anti-terrorist battle was moving forward.  It was now important to ensure that humanitarian aid was quickly given to those who needed it.  The best possible outcome would be to recognize all the elements of Afghan political life and quickly form a government.

Was there the possibility that the United Nations would host or lead the battle against terrorism? a correspondent asked. 

The resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council had been tremendous steps forward, Mr. Aznar said.  Taking those decisions and measures was an unprecedented phenomenon.  He would have been worried if it had not been the case, because it would have meant that the United Nations was abdicating its responsibility.  It was necessary to continue to act under the umbrella of the United Nations in terms of its resolutions and decisions.

How has the United Nations work against terrorism benefited Spain? a correspondent asked. 

One of the fundamental changes since 11 September was that what was initially considered just the problem of a few nations had become the problem of the entire world, the Prime Minister replied.  Terrorism had become a universal issue and had to be handled as such.  Extraordinary changes were under way regarding internal security decisions in all countries, and international consensus on the issue had been forged.  Spain was fully determined in the fight against terrorism and was, unfortunately, familiar with the meaning of terrorism. 

From the European perspective, tremendous steps were being taken, he said.  In a short period of time, unthinkable things had happened, including a common judicial context and global measures to combat the funding of terrorism.  Spain had taken exceptional measures to control terrorist funding mechanisms and monitor organizations.  Spain wanted to strengthen its cooperation with the United States regarding world security to combat terrorism.

Asked to elaborate on his position regarding Argentina, he said the country needed solid political agreement.  Argentina was discharging its duties very appropriately and working well in a complex financial atmosphere to revive its economic situation.  The responsibility of countries such as the United States and Spain was very clear.  He hoped that international financial institutions would give Argentina the same treatment they had given other countries in similar situations.  Any worsening of Argentinean situation would not benefit anyone.  Spain would support Argentina.  Spain -- the main world investor in Argentina -- was convinced that that country would do well.

How could individual freedoms and new measures to fight terrorism be made complementary? a correspondent asked. 

Spain was combating terrorism with all the instruments available to it within the rule of law, Mr. Aznar said.  All tools must be used.  He was not in a position, however, to lecture anyone, and say what tools he liked or disliked.  It was important to remain within the law and discharge one's obligations.  Spain's problems were solved in a particular way according to its situation.  Prudence was always a good advisor.  Spain had a great deal of experience in respecting the limits of jurisdiction and was close to those who had suffered from terrorism.  It was important to place moral sensitivity for the victims of terrorism within a context of political cooperation.

Asked whether President Bush had requested the extradition of Al-Queda members arrested in Spain, Mr. Aznar said that extradition was requested through official channels.  The United States had not requested the extradition of any terrorist arrested in Spain.  If the United States were to request extradition, the request would be studied in accordance with three issues, including full cooperation between Spain and the United States, Spanish law and the extradition agreement between Spain and the United States.  Spain would be pleased to do that, and as quickly as possible. 

He said that 11 terrorists related to the events of 11 September -- not 8 -- were currently detained in Spain and were ready to be brought to justice.  The Government of the United States had not taken any initiative thus far to request the extradition of any of those persons.

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