Spain's new PM slams Blair and Bush 'lies'

MADRID - Spain's new socialist Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the unexpected victor in general elections, launched a scathing attack on British Prime Minister Tony Blair and United States President George W. Bush yesterday, saying: "You can't organise a war with lies."

The quietly spoken leader told Spanish radio his triumph was a first consequence of the Iraq war and its unpopularity with voters.

"The second will be that the Spanish troops will come back" from Iraq.

"Mr Blair and Mr Bush must do some reflection and self-criticism," he went on to say in frank comments for the next Prime Minister of Europe's youngest democracy and fifth largest economy.

Zapatero's decisive break from the policies of his conservative predecessor, Jose Maria Aznar, came with a vow to pull Spain's 1300 troops out of Iraq if the United Nations does not take control by June.

He also promised to relaunch his country's long-standing policy of co-operation with Europe, turning his back on Blair's attempt to establish an alternative sphere of influence in the European Union.

"Military intervention in Iraq was a political mistake," Zapatero said. "It divided more than it united, there were no reasons for it. Time has shown that the arguments for it lacked credibility. You cannot bomb by chance. You can't lead a war with lies."

Downing St and the White House avoided commenting on Zapatero's attacks, focusing instead on the need to co-operate in the fight against terrorism. Bush made a congratulatory phone call, expressing hope that the two countries would still co-operate on fighting terrorism but avoiding the decision to withdraw Spanish forces from Iraq.

"The President reiterated our solidarity with the Spanish people and said they're in our prayers during this difficult period," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

Blair's spokesman said the Spanish people's decision would be respected. The two leaders are not expected to meet for more than a month - an extraordinary delay in the context of the political alliance and close personal friendship forged between Aznar and Blair.

The two leaders spoke for 15 minutes by phone yesterday in what a spokesman said was a warm and friendly conversation. It dealt with the troop withdrawal threat and the aftermath of the train bombings and the hunt for the perpetrators.

Fallout from the Spanish election has emboldened Blair's critics at home.

Yesterday he was accused of increasing the threat to Britain from militant Islamic terrorism with military action against Saddam Hussein.

A string of Labour MPs challenged Blair's judgment and warned that Britain faced a heightened risk of attacks from al Qaeda one year since the invasion began.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw insisted that military action in Iraq had not increased the threats facing Britain.

And he said: "I believe that over the medium term, still more the long term, we will be much safer."

- INDEPENDENT