Studio Anchor: We cross to the White House for latest update from the President’s press conference.
Reporter: Mr. President, what led you to sign the Executive Order authorising the invasion and bombing of Spain?
The President: As you heard from the Secretary of Defence Mr. Rumsfeld just a moment ago, the US national interest was threatened by the Spanish government’s latest actions.
Reporter: Mr. President, don't you think it was a little heavy handed to invade and begin dropping the 'daisy cutters' on Madrid?
The President: The Spanish government needs to know that we are a strong, resolute nation and we have had a policy of pre-emptive invasion for some time now. The Spanish people must realise that when they threaten the national interest of the US they leave us with no alternative.
Reporter: Mr. President, I understand you have been talking with other members of the Coalition against Terror. What is their response?
The President: I have spoken with Prime Ministers Blair and Howard this morning. Both of them have expressed their countries support of our actions. They reassured me that they will give us their full support.
Reporter: Mr. President, are you able to give some more information as to why you allowed this invasion of our ally to go ahead?
The President: The Spanish people are our friends. They have been suffering for many years now. They were our allies and they did support us, that's correct. But when a nation turns against the basic principles of democracy, we are left with little choice. They chose to rebel and so we were backed into a corner…
Reporter: But Mr. President, what was it that drove you to such a drastic action?"
The President: The people of Spain and their government must
understand that when they make choices that go against the national interests of
the US and against the principles of democracy there are consequences. They just
cant go around electing who they want and changing their minds about the things
they think are in their interests and expect us to stand idly by. The US, under
my administration and under the guidance of my good friend and confidant, Carl
Rove and under the authority of Almighty God, is the most powerful nation on
earth. The Spanish were once a backward nation made up of olive eating, wine
drinking peasants. McDonalds and Nike lifted them out of their poverty. They
have prospered on the wealth we allowed them to create. They are, if you like in
our debt. We allowed them democracy and they turned their backs on us.
Reporter: Mr. President, are you implying that the US will only support and
assist countries that don't buck the US line.
The President: Yes. The world has got to realise that unless they accept the internationally agreed position that allows us to, well, basically do as we want, then they will be crushed. If they refuse to cooperate with out democratic ideals, they will suffer. We will not allow democracy to be overrun by the will of the people. The Spanish people elected a government that decided they didn't want to play the game our way. So they brought the consequences on their own heads. As you know, I'm not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but I can tell you this, when a nation or a people decide that they know what's better for them than we do, then the gloves come off. Thank you.
Studio Anchor: The President at his press conference. We now ask our European expert, Dr. John Jolly, to comment. Mr. Jolly, Do you think the President's actions were just?
Dr. Jolly: Its not a moral question. By asking if it was just to invade and bomb Spain, you cast the question as moral one. The fact is, the Spanish people should have had some idea of how the US would react. They voted out a government that was democratic, that was part of the coalition and that whole heartedly embraced the US position and decided to vote in a group whose policies, well frankly, don’t stack up.
Studio Anchor: Then what is the right question?
Dr. Jolly: I think the right question is, will the developed nations that are US allies now realise what will occur to them should they change their mind on US foreign policy if they adopt practices that fly in the face of democracy. I mean, look, they were all just a little emotional weren’t they? They really didn’t mean to elect the Socialists. In my opinion and I know it’s the White House’s opinion, this latest election should have been postponed. Now the troops will have to return democracy to the Spanish people. Not only that, I mean its really simple maths. The US simply ran out of undeveloped, backward nations to turn into vassal states so it was only a matter of time before they began to invade and occupy the developed nations.
Studio Anchor: What about Al Queda? Surely the US is worried about them?
Dr. Jolly: Al Queda has been a convenient excuse for the last couple of years. Remember Qadaffi. He took a quite backward state, nationalised its infrastructure, built schools, hospitals, dental centres, all those things we strive for, he lowered taxes and had almost full employment. Like our US allies, we weren’t prepared to let a mad man who did all this without our help get away with it. Like Haiti just the other week, we need to ensure democracy is returned to Spain.
Studio Anchor: Dr. Jolly, thank you for your time.
Dr. Jolly: Thank you.
Studio Anchor: And turning to our daily fashion update, here’s Jenny Latouche.