Spain turns

In the understatement of the millenium the BBC reports Our correspondent says the late swing to the Socialists raises one disturbing thought -if al-Qaeda was responsible for Thursday’s attacks, it appears to have had significant influence in changing the government of a leading Western democracy.

As I write this I am in Spain. The flight over here was full, and felt sobre with many Spanish passangers having red eyes-presumably from tears. The nation itself once off the plane appeared to be settling down to normality if that were possible after such events.

My hosts were quite clear that the swing to the socialists was directly related to a strong belief in Spain that the attack was retaliation for their entry to Iraq.

I understand that troups may be returning from Iraq, although the incomming Spanish president has stated this would be if there was no change in the situation by the June deadline for handing over sovereignty.

I guess the question that many are asking is what would be the impact on other nations of similar atrocities. Lets hope we never have to find out.