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Rice set to reopen Spain dialogue Rice set to reopen Spain dialogue
(about 3 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 is in Madrid on the first visit by the Bush administration since Spain's socialist government came to power.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply when Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq.Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply when Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq.
Ms Rice's visit is a sign that Spain's relationship with the US is warming up.Ms Rice's visit is a sign that Spain's relationship with the US is warming up.
However, disagreements remain, notably over Spain's relations with the governments of Cuba and Venezuela.However, disagreements remain, notably over Spain's relations with the governments of Cuba and Venezuela.
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 blamed on Islamic militants 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.
DisagreementDisagreement
The new Prime Minister, Mr 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.
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.Spain is open to dialogue with the Cuban government of Fidel Castro.
The US disapproves and says Spain should put more effort into courting the democratic opposition in that country.The US disapproves and says Spain should put more effort into courting the democratic opposition in that country.
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.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.
Even after this visit by Ms Rice, feelings between the US and Spain will not be as warm as both governments would like.Even after this visit by Ms Rice, feelings between the US and Spain will not be as warm as both governments would like.