US response: The White House put a brave face yesterday on the defeat of Spain's centre-right government and the unanticipated loss of one of its most important allies in the Iraq war.
President Bush made a courtesy call to the incoming Spanish prime minister, Mr José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, yesterday morning to congratulate him on his victory, and the two agreed on the need to fight terrorism.
Earlier, however, Mr Zapatero called the US-led war "a disaster" and pledged to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq by June 30th unless a UN-led multinational force took over.
"The two leaders said they both looked forward to working together, particularly on our shared commitment to fighting terrorism ... and advancing the strong relations that we have," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.
Mr Bush also called outgoing Spanish prime minister José María Aznar to thank him for his support and friendship. He has in the past called him a courageous leader who ignored popular opinion to act in Spain's best interests.
A year ago Mr Aznar stood together with Mr Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair at a pre-war summit in the Azores, symbolising US-European unity on Iraq.
The embarrassing diplomatic setback for the US in Europe came at a time of increased US casualties in Iraq, where seven soldiers were killed during the weekend and three American civilian workers died yesterday.
The withdrawal of the 1,300 Spanish troops has limited military significance - though Spain's Plus Ultra brigade commanded a group including forces from El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic - but the political repercussions could be enormous in this election year.
Mr Bush is embarking on a media offensive this week to justify the White House decision to attack Iraq a year ago on Friday and to highlight the achievement of getting Iraqi representatives to agree on a constitution. He plans a ceremony on the anniversary to honour ambassadors from 34 coalition countries.
Democratic challenger John Kerry yesterday criticised the president for alienating friendly countries, telling a meeting in Washington of the International Association of Firefighters that "he's pushed away our allies at a time when we need them the most".
"He hasn't pursued a strategy to win the hearts and minds of people around the world and win the war of ideas against the radical ideology of Osama bin Laden," the Massachusetts senator said. "When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and short on action."
The White House was not prepared to say yesterday that al-Qaeda was behind the train bombings in the Spanish capital. "We still do not know who is responsible," said Mr McClellan.
Mr James Rubin, a former assistant secretary of state, blamed the Aznar government for "playing politics" with the tragedy and helping bring about its own downfall. He told CNN that if al-Qaeda was responsible, it was a fair point to make that, "al Qaeda had a tactical victory; they contributed to the overthrow of a government."
Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld are also due to mark the first anniversary of the war with appearances this week to defend the decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein.