FOREIGN veterans visiting Madrid to help commemorate the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, 60 years ago found themselves caught in a crossfire of words yesterday.
Critics of Spain's conservative government accused it of failing to send any senior representatives to a ceremony in parliament at which the veterans were granted the right to opt for Spanish citizenship.
Officials said that neither the Prime Minister, Mr Jose Maria Aznar, nor King Juan Carlos was scheduled to take part in events for the foreigners who fought Gen Francisco Franco's troops after he revolted against the Republican government in July 1936.
Nearly 400 one time members of the International Brigades arrived in Spain this week to recall their taking up of arms to fight for the Republican cause in a conflict which became an ideological rehearsal for the second World War.
Despite the passing years, their presence was once more controversial, with the left accusing the ruling Popular Party (PP) of snubbing them out of political spite.
Some veterans lamented the lack of official recognition but many said the warm hearted reaction of ordinary people and the joy of reuniting with old comrades more than made up for it.
People lined the streets and broke into spontaneous applause as veterans, many of them aged 80 and over and in wheelchairs, made their way to Madrid's sports stadium for a huge party.