Catalonia Today, May 4, 2006 | Disciplining the meddling army

The political meddling of the Spanish army, which has been accentuated by the passing of the Catalan Estatut and the debate on Spain's regions, have set off the emergency alarms in the Zapatero government. Following the replacement of José Bono as defence minister by José Antonio Alonso, Zapatero has gone on to replace the head of the army, General José Antonio García González, who has failed to enforce internal disciplineand showed a criticisable reaction after Lieutenant General José Mena Aguado threatened to bring the tanks out onto the street if the Estatut —which was at that time being negotiated— endangered the unity of Spain. Mena Aguado was penalised and immediately replaced, producing a scandal that delighted the international press. However, the general’s pre-democratic behaviour gave some idea of the sabre-rattling that goes on in army barracks in Spain. Zapatero, strengthened by the surveys that place him ahead of the PP, and with the tranquility produced by the permanent Eta cease-fire, should now impose greater discipline and to prevent further meddling from the country’s military.

(Article de Saül Gordillo al setmanari Catalonia Today, 4 de maig de 2006, pàgina 3.)