SPAIN:AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001040

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2014
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV AF SP NATO
SUBJECT: SPAIN:AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE RESPONSE

REF: STATE 47946

Classified By: Economic Counselor Judy Garber: Reasons 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) MFA Deputy Director General for Continental Asia
Alejandro E. Albargonzalez San Martin told us March 25 that
Spain's delegation will not be making new commitments to
Afghanistan at the Berlin Conference. He noted that while
Spain will carry out its previous pledge of $113 million
through 2005, the transition between the departing Popular
Party and the newly elected Socialists means that the GOS is
not currently in a position to make new pledges of assistance.


2. (C) We raised the comments of Socialist Foreign
Minister-designate Miguel Angel Moratinos, who stated in the
Spanish press that the new government would increase Spanish
support for Afghanistan. Press reports also suggest that
Socialist President-elect Zapatero made a similar statement
in his meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell on March

24. Albargonzalez was aware of the pronouncements, but told
us that no new aid policies for Afghanistan have been
announced.


3. (U) We will update on Spain's assistance to Afghanistan as
the Socialist government transitions to power.


4. (U) Minimize considered.
ARGYROS