Spain pulls out of Afghanistan

After Germany’s reluctance to continue cooperating in NATO’s operations in Afghanistan, Spain is withdrawing from the country:

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced Wednesday that all the 500 Spanish troops on humanitarian mission in Afghanistan will be brought home by Oct. 12.

Emma Bonino, former European Union Commissioner and Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission to Afghanistan, in today’s interview with l’Unita’ was asked if the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan was or could be felt in future as “military occupation”. Her reply:

“No, I have never heard anyone talk like that. On the contrary, the general request is for us to remain at their side and increase our commitments to help them. Financially and militarily.”

Afghanistan, Spain, Germany, Zapatero