WARMING UP?

Spain's Socialist government, which right after taking office last April pulled Spanish troops out of Iraq, said it is studying the possibility of training Iraqi police officers in Spain.

It will be seen as a move by Madrid to try to thaw relations with the US, which have not recovered since Spain's withdrawal of troops shortly after the Socialists' shock election victory last year.

Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, appearing before the higher house of the Spanish parliament, told legislators the objective was to help Iraq "consolidate the rule of law."

He said that in addition to police officers, "agents and functionaries" might also receive training in
Spain.

Of course, being a man with a tortured relationship with the truth (and gaffe-prone, too), he couldn't help lying a little:

He noted that Spain provided extensive technical assistance for Sunday's elections in Iraq.

Yeah, right.