WE ARE AT WAR

And Spain gets it.

Interesting that those who have had their noses bloodied are the ones who understand the need to fight this war.

Spanish troops will remain in Iraq as part of the fight against "fanatical terrorism," Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said yesterday in a live broadcast to a nation angry about the slaying of seven of its intelligence agents south of Baghdad.

Mr. Aznar, one of the staunchest European supporters of the Iraq war, spoke as the agents' bodies arrived at a Madrid airport, awaited by about 150 relatives and senior government officials.

"Our freedom is threatened by all terrorists," the prime minister said. "We know that a withdrawal would be the worst route we could take."