Bush regrets Spain's 'abrupt' announcement

President George Bush expressed regret today at what he called Spain’s “abrupt” announcement of withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

He cautioned its new prime minister to avoid actions that give ”false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq.”

Bush expressed his views in a five-minute phone conversation with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who on Sunday ordered the 1,300 Spanish troops to return home as soon as possible.

Expressing regret at the announcement, Bush urged that the withdrawal “take place in a coordinated manner that does not put at risk other coalition forces in Iraq,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

“The president stressed the importance of carefully considering future actions to avoid giving false comfort to terrorists or enemies of freedom in Iraq,” McClellan said.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos insisted the withdrawal should not harm long-term relations with the US, adding that the country would honour its international commitments and remain steadfast in the fight against terrorism.

He is scheduled to fly to Washington tomorrow to meet Secretary of State Colin Powell.

“We’re not washing our hands” of the situation which the Socialists and most Spaniards opposed all along, he said.

About the United States, he added, “We have a wider and more attractive agenda in the medium and long term.”