GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (AFP) — Democratic candidate for the White House Barack Obama declared Monday that, unlike his Republican opponent John McCain, he would meet with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero if elected president.
Obama responded "of course" to the question of meeting Zapatero when interviewed by a Spanish-language radio station in Miami, Florida.
"Spain is a NATO ally, and the fact that Senator McCain indicated that he might not meet with Zapatero I think indicates that he wants to continue the Cheney policies of trying to dictate American foreign policy instead of trying to build cooperation. I think that's a mistake," Obama told Union Radio.
In the interview Obama said he was also ready to meet with Latin American leaders, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a staunch foe of the US.
Obama vowed to devote more attention to Latin America than the current Republican administration.
McCain was evasive last week when interviewed by the same radio station, refusing to answer directly on whether he would meet Zapatero, and appearing to confuse Spain with another Latin American country.
"I would be willing to meet with those leaders who are friends and want to work with us in a cooperative fashion," said McCain, who went on to talk about Mexico.
When pushed further on whether a meeting with Zapatero would take place, McCain said: "Honestly, I have to look at relations, and the situations, and the priorities but I can assure you I will establish closer relations with our friends, and I will stand up to those who want to do harm to the United States of America."
Republicans have not forgiven Zapatero, whose Socialist Party was re-elected to a second term in March, for withdrawing Spanish troops from the US-led coalition in Iraq in 2004.
Unlike his conservative predecessor Jose Maria Aznar, Zapatero has never been received at the White House by President George W. Bush.
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