Jose Maria Aznar, Spain's prime minister, sought to...

Jose Maria Aznar, Spain's prime minister, sought to refocus attention on the launch of Spain's presidency of the European Union, saying that his "priority of priorities" during Spain's six-month term would be the global fight against terrorism.
Aznar backed an EU extradition treaty with the US, saying it was "vital to reinforce relations between the EU and the US". He said there were ways of overcoming the reservations of certain member states about the application of the death penalty in the US and the use of military tribunals to try terrorist crimes.
"The death penalty should not be an obstacle in the negotiation of an extradition treaty."