White House Wants Catalonia and Spain to Negotiate

On the same day that Catalonia's president called for negotiations with Spain to secure independence for his state, the White House signaled it favored talks between Catalonia and the Madrid government and "them moving forward."

But in discussing the controversy now raging over Catalonian independence, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders also made clear Tuesday that the administration stood by the president's remarks September 26 that "Spain is a great country and it should be united."

Asked by Newsmax if the Trump administration welcomes talks with Catalonia and Spain, Sanders replied: "I think that's up for the people of Spain and Catalonia to decide, but our position is still consistent with what the president said [September 26]."

At a joint appearance with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that day, Trump said he "think[s] Spain is a great country and it should be united."

On the same day the president called for a united Spain, he said of the Catalan people, "If you have accurate numbers and polling, you would see they love Spain."

Five days later, a referendum whether Catalonia should secede from Spain degenerated into chaos amid efforts by the federal police to keep Catalan voters from going to the polls. Catalonian President Carles Fulgedemont subsequently hinted he would unveil an American-style declaration of independence, but on Tuesday backed down and instead endorsed negotiations.

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.