[Imc-africa] Spain and the consequences for Africa

[ak0226 at argh-it.de]

Hi
I just posted the following article on http://imc-in-africa.so36.net/
and on Indymedia
I head off to Gambia today
see you all
Janmaat

Spain and the consequences for Africa

Abstract:
The March 11 bombings in Madrid, Spain, have major 
consequences for world politics, some of which can
change the very parameters for African people.


The attacs of March 11 had two main consequences for the
relationship between Europe and Africa.  

The most obvious is the blame on terrorists links to Africa.
European politic tightening the borders and cooperating with 
african police.  

The bombings, conducted directly before spanish elections,
lead to the dismission of the conservative government.  The
new government promised directly after it won the elections
to withdraw spanish troops from Irak, and to not block the
project of an European constitution any more.  The latter had
been opposed by Poland and Spain, both countries sharing
the US position on Irak and supporting the war early in 2003.

As a consequence, Europe is in the future to speak with a
more unique voice.  Should the European constitution be
passed, there will be one and only on foreign politic and
only one foreign minisiter for the whole of the E.U.  The
consequences are clear:  Africa will no longer have to
deal with many European powers like Britan, France,
Germany, Spain etc.  but with only one giant super power
on its north, the E.U.  The influence of the E.U.  in Africa
will thus be rising, and at the same time the question of
the future transatlantic relation is becoming more urgent
- a question crucial for world politics.

Well the latter will depend on US politics as well, and
the only chance to have this changed in the nearer
future will be the dismissal of US president Bush, who
is to face elections on November 2nd.  Madrid bombings
adds extra tension to this election race with has now just 
started.  If March 11 was aiming to change spanish
politics - what will happen in the states before the
elections?

By JAN SUCHANEK