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McCain Disses Spain's PM, One Way or Another

Will remain chilly ... or confused Zapatero with Latin Americans

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 18, 2008 12:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain seemed to say Spain’s prime minister is an enemy of the US during an interview with a Spanish-language radio station this week, Time reports. Asked whether, if elected, he would meet with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, McCain answered, “I will establish closer relationships with our friends, and I will stand up to those who want to harm the United States.”

The interviewer clarified that Spain was a country in Europe and a fellow NATO member, not a troublesome Latin American state—but McCain offered the same evasive answer. Spanish newspapers today are trying to figure out just what McCain might have meant with his swipe. “In the best-case scenario,” wrote El País, his answer “demonstrates his ignorance with respect to Zapatero.”

Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero reacted to John McCain's prediction of continued chilly relations, or his confusion, by saying he'll work with the next US administration whatever it is.
Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero reacted to John McCain's prediction of continued chilly relations, or his confusion, by saying he'll work with the next US administration "whatever it is."   (AP Photo)
The coldness between the governments of the US and Spain could continue if the Republican candidate John McCain reaches the White House, Spanish newspaper ABC wrote today.
"The coldness between the governments of the US and Spain could continue if the Republican candidate John McCain reaches the White House," Spanish newspaper ABC wrote today.   (AP Photo)
Papers in Spain are aflutter over an interview in which John McCain said Spain's prime minister is among those who want to harm the United States%u2014or confused him with hostile Latin American leaders.
Papers in Spain are aflutter over an interview in which John McCain said Spain's prime minister is among "those who want to harm the United States"%u2014or confused him with hostile Latin American leaders.   (AP Photo)
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero arrives for a funeral Mass for the victims of the Spanair plane crash that killed 154 people in August, in Madrid, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero arrives for a funeral Mass for the victims of the Spanair plane crash that killed 154 people in August, in Madrid, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
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