Ex-Spanish PM on News Corp. Board

Newsmax
Jun. 26, 2006

News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch has appointed former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar to the company's board of directors.

Aznar, 53, was Spain's leader from 1996 to 2004, and supported the U.S. and British decision to invade Iraq.

Murdoch said: "As prime minister of Spain, Aznar earned worldwide respect for his strong economic record and unflinching stand against domestic and international terrorism.

"His impressive grasp of world politics and the realities of globalisation, as well as his clear commitment to fiscal rectitude, will be of great benefit to News Corp.'s stockholders."

Murdoch has been friends with Aznar for several years, and he attended the wedding of Aznar's daughter in 2002.

News Corp. owns 20th Century Fox, News International and the Fox News Channel.

There are 14 members on the News Corp. board, but Aznar is the first former politician and first non-native English speaker. He is currently president of the right-leaning Foundation for Social Studies and Analysis and a scholar at Georgetown University in Washington, where he teaches contemporary European politics.

Acording to Media Bulletin, a News Corp executive said: "Rupert wants everyone in the company to think about the future of the world. The future of technology, the environment, poverty, demography - this will all affect who our customers will be."