Zapatero Apologizes

Back in 2004 - in the days after the 3/11 bombing - Spaniards swept out the conservative Aznar government in favor of the Socialist Party's Jose Zapatero. He was elected in large part on the promise that he would pull Spain out of the coalition forces fighting in Iraq.

A few days ago the prime minister apologized for putting his faith in peace talks with a banned separatist group. Money quote:

"All Spaniards heard me say on December 29 that I had the conviction that things were better for us than five years ago and that in a year's time things would be even better," Mr Zapatero told a special session of the Spanish parliament.

"Although it is not frequent among public leaders, I want to recognize the clear mistake I made before all Spanish citizens."

Despite allegations that he had been "fooled" by Eta, he insisted that he had been right to seek negotiations with the terrorist group after they declared a permanent ceasefire last March. "I did what most Spaniards wanted - to try to use the truce to end the violence," he said.

How many people will attempt to bargain with terrorists before they realize it is futile?

(HT: Captain's Quarters)