In a major victory for the family of José Couso, the Spanish government of José Rodriguez Zapatero recently awarded José a "Gold Medal for Professional Merit". provides a measure of relief from the utter contempt and arrogance that had been shown by the previous Spanish government. In addition to José, the award in a public ceremony to other Spanish reporters Julio Anguita Parrado, Ricardo Ortega, Julio Fuentes, Jordi Pujol i Puente and Juantxu Rodriguez.
Minister of Labor and Social Afairs Jesus Caldera went on the record, stating that the Spanish government formally condemns the attack by the US tank on the Hotel Palestine on April 8, 2003. He said the award was an "act of justice," and that "these reporters were our eyes, ears our lives, anonimous people behind a microphone, a pen and a camera, who were sometimes prevented from exercising the profession they had chosen out of a calling and democratic passion."
The award represents a clear departure for the family of José Couso, a break with the policy of malign neglect followed by the previous government of José Maria Aznar, a close ally of George W. Bush in the illegal war upon the Iraqi people. It also satisfies a parliamentary motion presented by the Socialist government’s allies in parliament, which called upon the government to institute such a recognition "in as short a time span as possible."
In an delicious aside that has made the ceremony even more memorable than it might have been, the Couso family and friends unexpectedly encountered the wife of ex-president Aznar in a Madrid restaurant afterwards, when they had gone out for a meal to celebrate the medal. The loathesome Ana Botella entered the restaurant and sat at an adjacent table, though kept up a poker face throughout, even while other tables applauded the speeches given at the Couso table.
