Two thirds blame Iraq for Madrid attacks

3 June 2004

MADRID – Almost two thirds of Spaniards believe the 11 March bomb attacks would not have happened if the former government had not supported the invasion of Iraq, according to a poll published Thursday.

The poll, conducted for the Royal Institute of International Relations and Strategy, also  found that 78 percent of those questioned supported the withdrawal of Spanish troops from the country.

Meanwhile, 60 percent of those polled thought that the 11 March massacre, in which 192 people died, was a consequence of Spain’s international position.

The poll was carried out between 10-18 May.

It found only 19 percent of those disagreed with pulling Spanish troops out of Iraq.

However, despite a high degree of support for the withdrawal, 40 percent thought its timing was “hasty”.

And 58 percent thought that it was an “opportunistic” move.
 
But 65 percent of Spaniards disagreed with the strategy of the United States in the fight against terrorism.

But 30 percent were in favour.

Javier Noya, director of the Royal Institute, said this level of support for US policy was “the lowest in Europe”.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news