Powell meets Spain's incoming PM
Secretary attends bombing victims' service
From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell has sought to minimize differences with the incoming Spanish prime minister, pledging to continue the close relationship the United States and Spain now share under the current administration.
Powell met briefly with Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid on Wednesday, following the state funeral for the 190 victims of the March 11 terrorist train bombings.
Powell and Zapatero expressed a desire and willingness to cooperate on the war against terrorism and reform in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
"It was a positive discussion," said a senior State Department official traveling with Powell.
The official said Zapatero expressed to Powell "a desire to have a good, strong relationship with the United States."
Zapatero told Powell the United States and Spain have enjoyed good relationships under previous Socialist governments and he hoped that tradition would continue, the official said.
In turn, Powell recognized the contributions Spain has made to the war against terrorism, and pledged a close dialogue with the incoming Spanish leader.
But while reiterating his commitment to fighting terrorism and supporting efforts to rebuild Afghanistan, Zapatero "told us frankly of his position against the war in Iraq and why, (and) his position on bringing Spanish troops home at the end of their term unless there is a U.N. mandate," the State Department official said.
Spain's troop contribution of about 1,300 soldiers in Iraq is relatively small, but it may be politically significant, and a withdrawal could prompt other nervous European leaders with troops in Iraq to do the same.
On March 14, Zapatero's Socialists defeated the current premier, Jose Maria Aznar, whose government supported last year's U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
During his election campaign, Zapatero harshly criticized the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and again called the war a mistake following his election last week.
He said he would withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq by June 30 if they do not fall under United Nations command once the United States hands over sovereignty to Iraqis on July 1.
Powell promised to keep Zapatero up to date on where Washington stood regarding a possible new U.N. resolution on the Iraqi matter, but no negotiations took place on what such a resolution might say.
Zapatero has said strengthening Spanish relations with Europe would be a priority over a "trans-Atlantic" relationship with the United States under his administration. However, the senior State Department official said "it's way too early to draw conclusions about the new administration."
"We are going to look forward, both of us are going to work together wherever we can and continue a dialogue on areas where we have a difference," the official said.
On Tuesday, a court announced four additional suspects were charged in the Madrid bombings, and the death toll was lowered from 202. (Full story)
The State Department official said the United States will be looking to see how Europe organizes and improves its counterterrorism efforts in the wake of the attacks in Spain.
Officials said they believe a positive relationship with Zapatero's administration is possible. Bush administration officials said they have good relations with Miguel Angel Moratinos, who is expected to become Zapatero's foreign minister.
"We have had very good relationships with Socialist governments," one official said.
