Issue How might our domestic policies affect our ability to prosecute terrorism abroad? Starter Spain: No rift over terror suspects November 28, 2001 Washington (CNN) - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar downplayed suggestions of a rift with the U.S. on Wednesday as he said his country would consider any extradition request for suspects arrested in connection with the terrorism investigation. Aznar said the United States has not submitted any extradition request for any suspected al Qaeda members. There has been speculation that the U.S. death penalty and President George W. Bush's proposal to use military tribunals for terrorism suspects could be stumbling blocks to extradition. "If and when the United States requests that extradition, we will study it," Aznar said at the White House, where he met Bush on Wednesday. Speaking through a translator, Aznar said any extradition request would be reviewed "with full respect of Spanish and United States law." He said the issue is also being studied at the European Union. Aznar emphasized the "full" cooperation between the United States and Spain in fighting terrorism, but he did not specifically endorse the Bush administration's decision to allow the use of military tribunals to try suspected terrorists who are not U.S. citizens. Fourteen people have been arrested in Spain since the September 11 terrorist attacks. A judge has charged that eight of them have ties to al Qaeda-the network headed by alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden-and were involved in the attacks. A Spanish court official confirmed to CNN that extradition might be difficult because of the death penalty in the United States, which does not exist in Spain, as well as the military tribunals, which would provide fewer guarantees to the accused than are normally provided in Spanish courts. Like Aznar, Bush downplayed reports of any differences, saying Spain has been "incredibly helpful" to the United States in the war on terrorism. --CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman contributed to this report. Focus Questions Why do you think Spain and other European Union nations might be reluctant to extradite suspected international terrorists to the United States? Do you think they are justified? What would be the consequences? What do you think Spanish Prime Minister Aznar meant when he said that, "Any action taken on the extradition issue will be taken with full respect of Spanish and United States law"? Do you think this can be accomplished? If there is a conflict, how do you think it should be resolved? To what extent do you think the United States will be able to "go it alone" in prosecuting international terrorism? To what extent should the United States act unilaterally in this effort? Why? Suggested Resources CNN online December 2001 news story on U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft meeting with Spanish officials to discuss international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. CNN Newsmaker Profile of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar Lopez Extradition defined, with topical links. More resources for this topic Starters for this topic: 1  2  3  4  All (.pdf) Note: The views expressed here have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association, nor do they represent the official position or policies of the ABA Standing Committee on Public Education.