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Rice set to reopen Spain dialogue Rice trip 'restores' Spanish ties
(about 13 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Madrid on the first visit by the Bush administration since Spain's socialist government came to power. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has visited Madrid for talks that the Spanish foreign minister said restored ties between their states.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply when Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq. It was the first such visit since Spain's socialists came to power and withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq.
Ms Rice's visit is a sign that Spain's relationship with the US is warming up. "Today... relations are fully normalised after the ups and downs we are all aware of," said Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
However, disagreements remain, notably over Spain's relations with the governments of Cuba and Venezuela. However, disagreements remain, notably over Afghanistan and Cuba.
Before this visit, Ms Rice expressed disapproval with Spain's willingness to hold dialogue with the Cuban regime.
Following her meeting with Mr Moratinos, Ms Rice said: "Spain has a different view on how to get to a democratic Cuba, but we have spent our time on today how we can communicate clearly that there must be a democratic transition in Cuba, that it's owed to the Cuban people."
Returning to normal
Three years ago, the US was coming to terms with an abrupt change in Spain.Three years ago, the US was coming to terms with an abrupt change in Spain.
The conservative Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, a staunch ally and personal friend of US President George W Bush, had lost a general election, days after train bomb attacks in Madrid blamed on Islamic militants killed 191 people. The conservative Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, a staunch ally and personal friend of US President George W Bush, had lost a general election, days after train bomb attacks in Madrid killed 191 people.
Many Spaniards directly linked those bombings to their participation in the war in Iraq.Many Spaniards directly linked those bombings to their participation in the war in Iraq.
Disagreement
The new Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, called the invasion of Iraq illegal and withdrew Spain's troops from that conflict.The new Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, called the invasion of Iraq illegal and withdrew Spain's troops from that conflict.
US-Spanish ties have not been the same since.US-Spanish ties have not been the same since.
This visit by the US secretary of state is a sign that relations are getting back to normal. This visit by the US secretary of state is a sign that relations are getting back to normal, says the BBC's Danny Wood in Madrid.
Unresolved differences
But there are still areas, apart from Iraq, where the two governments strongly disagree.But there are still areas, apart from Iraq, where the two governments strongly disagree.
Spain is open to dialogue with the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. Apart from Cuba, the US has expressed anger about an arms deal between Spain and Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez, a man the US regards as a destabilising force in Latin America.
The US disapproves and says Spain should put more effort into courting the democratic opposition in that country. Meanwhile, Spanish Defence Minister Jose Antonio Alonso complained about "indiscriminate bombardment" carried out by US and Afghan forces, that killed civilians in Afghanistan.
The US has also expressed anger about an arms deal between Spain and Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez, a man the US regards as a destabilising force in Latin America. Ms Rice blamed Taleban militants for hiding among civilian populations.
Even after this visit by Ms Rice, feelings between the US and Spain will not be as warm as both governments would like. She also said she would like to see Nato allies do more in Afghanistan, "and Spain is included in that list".
Even after this visit by Ms Rice, feelings between the US and Spain will not be as warm as both governments would like, our correspondent says.