ANOTHER INSULT - AT 8:19 P.M. ET:  From AFP:

The UNITED States said it was disappointed and surprised by Spain's decision to withdraw its forces from the NATO-led force in Kosovo, adding it had expected allies to act as one.

"We're deeply disappointed by this decision taken by Spain,'' State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.

"If you recall, in 1999 NATO allies agreed on the principle of 'in together, out together.' So we are surprised by this decision,'' Mr Wood said.

"We were warned just before it was announced publicly."

Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon said some 630 Spanish troops with the KFOR force would be leaving the territory in stages by August in coordination with its allies, saying: "It's time to go home.''

COMMENT:  When you give an impression of weakness, when you grovel to other nations, this is what you get.  Spain is run by a left-wing, anti-American government, the very kind of government the Obamans said they could "engage" with.  Looks like the engagement is off.

March 20, 2009