* Robert J. Chassell [Wed, 17/03/2004 at 13:47 +0000]
...
> Obviously the outcome is some combination of motives. My goal is to
> gain some sense of which is more predominant.
>
> The three explanations that I have heard are:
>
> 1. That many Spaniards felt that appeasement and surrender is their
> safest response to terrorism. This is the goal of terrorism: to
> persuade a population that its government cannot protect it, and
> that a change is needed.
...
> 2. That many Spaniards felt that the US made a military blunder in
> invading Iraq.
...
>
> 3. That many Spaniards felt that their government tried to deceive
> the country after the attacks themselves occurred, and continued
> this attempt even when contrary evidence mounted.
> What is the weight of each motive?
I've spoken with two of my friends who have strong links with Spain.
They are second generation French (their parents came in the 60's).
Their opinion is that's number 3 : Aznar attempt to manipulate the
information, that made some people change their mind, but also, and
that's the main factor of the poll outcome change, made a lot of people
who usually don't vote, effectivelly go to the booth.
The legend says that as soon as Friday morning text messages and emails
were conveying info that the police had islamic leads but were told to
shut up.
Aznar has personnly insisted to cite ETA in the UN resolution
http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,261864-1-9,00.html
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=0AD665D4-0A07-49D9-B295608428E3C8AE
Aznar had called newspapers editors :
" The head of one newspaper, El Periodico, said Mr Aznar had called
editors in the aftermath of last Thursday's attacks to implicate ETA
even as evidence emerged suggesting Islamist involvement.
"The day of the massacre Aznar told me personally, and the directors of
other dailies, that ETA was the perpetrator without the slightest shred
of doubt," Antonio Franco said. "
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,8997852,00.html
Giving instructions to Ambassadors
...
Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio ordered all Spanish ambassadors
worldwide to blame ETA for the attacks, Spanish media reported
yesterday.
The instructions, made in a diplomatic cable sent to all Spanish
embassies on Friday, also told the envoys to use any occasion to
"confirm ETA's involvement so as to dissipate any sort of doubt",
according to the Europa Press wire service and the Cadena Ser radio
station, which said they had copies.
...
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/13/1078594620928.html
For who knows Spain and spaniards number one (appeasement and surrender)
simply doesn't fit. They are used to terrorism, and they never surrender
to it, it's a common trait to the wide Spanish society.
Number 2 assertion is true (>90% of the population think that) But I
don't think it's the cause of the election result change. It's not a new
set set of mind. The idea didn't pop up on 11-M.
It would be interesting if Spanish people on the list could comment.
--
Jean-Marc
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
