Las pol�micas declaraciones de Downer se produjeron despu�s de que el s�bado pasado un grupo que afirma ser el brazo armado de Al Qaeda en Europa, el Grupo Isl�mico Tawid, amenazara a Australia e Italia con atentados si no retiran sus tropas de Irak.
Downer subray� la importancia de que los pa�ses env�en un fuerte mensaje a los terroristas en el que afirmen que no se dejaran intimidar por ellos. 'Tienes que hacer frente a esta gente, si no, les har�s m�s fuertes', asegur�.
El Ministerio espa�ol de Exteriores convoc� ayer a la embajadora de Australia en Espa�a, Susan Tanner, para expresar el 'firme rechazo del Gobierno espa�ol' a las palabras de Downer, quien ha afirmado que no existe una crisis diplom�tica con Madrid.
'El Gobierno espa�ol, que ha establecido la lucha contra el terrorismo como una clara prioridad de su pol�tica exterior, considera inaceptables estas declaraciones, especialmente viniendo de un pa�s amigo como Australia', a�adi� Exteriores en un comunicado.
Downer dijo que el encuentro entre la embajadora y los funcionarios espa�oles fue �til porque permiti� a Canberra expresar su posici�n. El ministro reconoci� la 'complejidad evidente en lo que ocurri� en realidad en Espa�a en torno' a las elecciones legislativas del 14 de marzo, pero al final (...) los terroristas est�n usando constantemente el ejemplo espa�ol' para intimidar a otros pa�ses.
Por otra parte, el embajador espa�ol en Canberra, Jos� Ram�n Bara�ano Fern�ndez, traslad� ayer, lunes, a las autoridades australianas el malestar por las declaraciones del ministro y les explic� que Madrid 'nunca ha sucumbido' ante los violentos, indic� a Europa Press en una conversaci�n telef�nica.
or:
The inflammatory statements by Downer came out last Saturday after a group which claims to be the armed branch of Al Qaeda in Europe, the Islamic group Tawid, threatened Australia and Italy with attack unless they withdraw their troops from Irak.
Downer underlined the importance of countries sending a strong message to the terrorists that affirms they will not let themselves be intimidated. 'You have to challenge these people, if not, they harass you more strongly', he said.
The Spanish foreign ministry yesterday called in Australia's ambassador in Spain, Susan Tanner, to express the 'firm rejection of the Spanish government' to Downer's words. Downer has affirmed there is no diplomatic crisis with Madrid.
'The government of Spain, which has made the struggle against terror a clear priority of its foreign policy, considers these statements unacceptable, especially coming from a friendly country such as Australia', the ministry noted in a communiqu�.
Downer said the meeting between the ambassador and Spanish officials was useful because it allowed Canberra to express its position. The minister recognised the 'complexity evident in what happened in Spain during' the parliamentary elections of 14 March, but in the end (...) the terrorists are constantly using the Spanish example' to intimidate other countries.
For his part, the Spanish ambassador in Canberra, Jos� Ram�n Bara�ano Fern�ndez, conveyed yesterday, Tuesday, to the Australian authorities the unhappiness of the minister's statements and informed them Madrid 'never has succumbed to violence,' the ambassador told Europa Press by telephone.
Downer's cafuffle is really about domestic politics rather than getting the Spanish or Philippine governments to change their policies. It's also a really bad way to do foreign policy. If Howard is re-elected and finds himself dealing with a Kerry administration Australia is going to find itself needing a new foreign policy fast.
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