Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

It’s true that the war in Iraq opened a distance in relations between part of Europe and the U.S. government, but our basic ties are stronger than that. We share democracy, free markets and a commitment to Western security. We differ on how to guarantee that security.

No Spanish government has given into terror and no government will do that.

We’re aligning ourselves with Kerry. Our allegiance will be for peace, against war, no more deaths for oil, and for a dialogue between the government of Spain and the new Kerry administration.

Spaniards have always shown great maturity and great common sense when it comes to voting.

Maybe John Kerry does not know – but I am happy to explain it to him – that my commitment to withdraw the troops goes back before the tragic, dramatic terrorist attack.

The more equality women have, the fairer, more civilized and tolerant society will be. Sexual equality is a lot more effective against terrorism than military strength.

You can’t bomb a people just in case.

I said when I came into office that I don’t want to be a great leader; I want to be a good democrat.

The corporations and the media don’t need power; they already have it.

My commitment is my commitment.

Markets are very important but for the government the citizens are more so.

The economic, social and cultural progress of a nation depends on citizens counting for more and having more rights.

I will listen to Mr Bush but my position is very clear and very firm. The occupation is a fiasco. There have been almost more deaths after the war than during the war.

Any peace process after so many years of horror and terror will be long and difficult.

I want to increase our spending on research and development by 25%. That’s something the U.S. does very well. That dynamism alongside a welfare state in the European community – that’s the synthesis I want to achieve.

Wars such as those which have occurred in Iraq only allow hatred, violence and terror to proliferate.

The risk of a terrorist victory is greater when in fighting terror, democracy betrays its own essence.