Spain Provides Troops for Friendlier Relations with U.S.

Spanish administration continues to work on repairing their relations with the United States, since President Obama's move into office. Their most recent efforts? They have committed to increasing their troops over 1,000 in Afghanistan (a 222 troop count increases from their current 778). According to an article, the move is thought to be "symbolic" of how far the country's Prime Minister[President] Zapatero is willing to go in order to repair the damage caused by the not so friendly relations during the Bush administrations time in office. This move would not only show efforts for increased favoritism of Obama's newest plan for Afghanistan, but also an overall increased respect for the Obama administration all together. According to Time's wrap up of Obama's Afghanistan plan, it is quoted that he, "Like Bush, Obama plans to send more U.S. troops to fight the insurgency in Afghanistan. In fact, when you add them up — the additional brigade Bush announced in January, the 17,000 combat troops Obama announced a couple of weeks ago and the 4,000 trainers added Friday — you get almost exactly the same number of extra troops sent into Iraq for the "surge."" Something I find exhausting about this is if Bush had just had better relations with Spain, their administration, and government - the ability to have support from not only Spain but other possible supports was there. An underlying hope from the Spain administration is for past active relations to become more common again, such as according to an article, "common policies from climate change to relations with Latin America and Muslim countries."

Although the two have already met, they will speak of the official terms and details of the announcement next week when they meet in Prague for a European Union-US summit. Zapatero speaks highly of Obama since they first met, according a quote provided to the Spanish press, saying, "“My impression of [President Obama] couldn't be better. The US and the world in general are experiencing a time of great hope." With Spain stepping up as the first European country to take the first leap towards success for Obama's plan, others are sure to follow. Although this shows a great initiative from the country, it is doubtful they will provide any more troops as, according to article, "most Spaniards don’t support a military solution and want an exit strategy that allows Afghanistan to reestablish control over its own affairs."

(Photo credit: RICARDO GUTIÉRREZ / AFP)

Spain Photo Gallery

I really enjoy photographs, so when I came upon this website, http://www.away.com/, which featured photos from personal travels, particularly from Spain, I had to share the link - enjoy!!

http://vacation.away.com/travel-gd-spain-travel-photo-gallery-sidwcmdev_094048.html?gclid=CMDj0rzi3ZkCFRxinAod1B2IWQ

Esta Es La Semana de la Música Religiosa

This week, April 4-12, is called the Semana de la Musica Religiosa - translated to Religious Music Week. This fiesta traditions have been occurring since the 17th century, and dates back to being held in Cuenca to 1962. The week holds processions including over 30,000 participants who partake in the nine processions. The celebrations directly coincide with the Easter celebrations as it is held from the 4th of April (Holy Friday) until April 12th, Easter Sunday. The week consists of 22 concerts all which feature, according to an article, "important international orchestras and soloists". Some of the featured venues, which are chosen purely to enhance the magical atmosphere include: the Cathedral, the old Carmelitas Convent, San Miguel Church and Arcas Church. The processions combine art, religion, music, and colour - all to depict the death of Jesus Christ. For more information about the week, visit their website: http://www.smrcuenca.es/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabID=8514

(Photo Credit: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.com)

Animals Better Protected than Unborn Babies??

(Follow up Article Posted 3/17) In follow-up to my previous write-up in regards to the abortion rights and the subjects standing in Spain, the Catholic clergy has recently decided to launch an anti-abortion campaign. The campaign, according to an article, is said to suggest that "animals are better protected than unborn babies." According to the spokesperson for Spanish Bishops Conference , Jose Antonio Martinez Camino, "We want to speak for those that have no voice as yet" which is even more enforced by the the campaigns billboards which feature a toddler sitting next to one of the most endangered species - the Iberian lynx with the "catchy" slogan "What about me? Protect my life!" In terms of this religious issue battle, it is getting a lot of hype as the Catholic church has decided to react so strongly. In follow up to the previous blog discussing the reformation of the 1985 abortion law, which according to a source states, "Legal up to 12 weeks in cases of rape, deformed baby, or danger to the mother's life or mental health.

Law passed in 1985. In practice, the "mental health" clause has resulted in abortion on demand (up to 12 weeks)as psychiatrists will routinely certify that a woman's mental health is endangered." has now been reformed to allowing a demand for the practice up to 14 weeks.

As a surprise to me, in response to the government's plans, several hundreds of scientists and researchers have launched a response rejecting the plans, saying, according to an article, "Abortion, being an attack on life in the first weeks of development, is no body's right," said Dr. Monica Lopez Barahona, director of Vidacord, a biomedical company that stores stem cells from umbilical cord blood." Being a Catholic myself, I feel as though there aren't a lot of doctor's and scientists here in the states that would have contributed the same response.

Spanish Socialist response? After their attempts to anger the church with their "gay marriage laws" and "fast-track divorces" their spokesperson, Jose Antonio Alonso, provides a statement which labels the church's campaign as "extremist and demagogic."" A major issue the health department in Spain is trying to present here is that it is not the "yes" or "no" to abortion - its the fact that legislation has to move with that of the other European countries they are saying they always want to be like.

The campaign, which ran from March 16-31 has caused a protest - one of which, according to an article, a possibly estimated 500,000 people showed up to the protest, but according to the Agence France Presse news agency, they placed the estimate at about 100,000. The protest was led by cheers of ""Get out of here and let the children live". Children, who participated in the protest, according to an article, chanted, " Thank you mummy for letting me live."

In response to, what an article states, many feminist groups are calling the campaign as "alarmist", they have announced they will be launching a counter campaign - one which will "flood Spain with posters" from the feminist organization comprised of over 200 feminist groups.

(Photo credit: AFP)

Drug Lord Murder Leads to More than Just One Bust

After the murder in January of convicted Colombian drug lord, Leonidas Vargas, Spanish officials have just recently arrested four suspects. The suspects identity, three Colombians and one Romanian, was not released - along with the location of their arrest in order to keep anonymity with the department. Vargas, who was 60, was shot in his hospital bed, just a week after being transferred for treatment, at Doce de Octubre Hospital in Madrid. Although Spanish officials have declined to say what the motive was for the murder, it is said, according to an article, that it is a "settling of scores". Two days after Vargas' murder, his brother Fabio along with another were both found dead in Columbia. Vargas' past consists of an arrest for over 500 kilos of cocaine in July 2006 which landed him with a sentencing of 19 years in jail. He also had a business past with drug lords such as deceased Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha and Pablo Escobar - killed in a 1993 police shootout.

(Photo credit: EFE)

Spain + Obama + Guantanamo Prisoners = Better U.S. Relations?

After Spain's Socialist Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, was indirectly rejected by President Bush (pertaining a no-invite to Washington) he is rather elated to have President Obama in office. Spain having a more left sided point of view when it comes to politics, is hopeful in future foreign policy decisions with the U.S. and progressive developments in several other countries.

The meeting between Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Spain politician, Miguel Angel Moratinos posed for positive growth between the U.S. and Spain. At the meeting, Moratinos told Clinton he would accept prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. "The new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has with her words and messages marked a new stage, in which Spain can have an active and much more intense role in the world," said Moratinos, according to an article.

What will Obama's presence in the office do for Spain? Well Spanish officials hope for a more "multilateral foreign policy approach and be favorable to Spain and their special areas of interest such as Latin America and North Africa. Along with these new developments, Spain would also like to see more of a development in Afghanistan.

In regards to the prisoners, Moratinos says they will determine the minimum and maximum accepted on a case by case situation.

All in all, they hope for more of an opportunity for an open relationship now that Obama is in office - providing for a better foreign policy foundation, and stronger more welcoming relations with the U.S.

Spain Proud of Penelope Cruz's Well Deserved Oscar Win

After a long night at the Oscars, Penelope Cruz went home with the Oscar for best supporting actress.

Cruz, who was nominated for best actress in 2007, is the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar. Her performance in Woody Allen's movie "Vicky Christina Barcelona" as a fiery ex-wife is what landed her the award.

The major publications in Madrid held off on their editions of the Monday morning paper, as they all held a spot for the marvelous Cruz.

Cruz was praised by several admirers, including director Pedro Almodovar, and Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez who praised Cruz on her win by saying it, "places Spanish actors and actresses at the highest level" according to an article.

According to an article, Mariano Rajoy, conservative opposition leader said in Cruz's honor, that the Oscar pays tribute to, "your natural talent and your effort, and continued sacrifice in a job well done."

(Photo credit: www.celebla.com)