Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MADRID2579
2004-07-08 06:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:  

SPANISH PARLIAMENT OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES

Tags:  PREL PGOV MOPS SP NATO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 002579 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS SP NATO
SUBJECT: SPANISH PARLIAMENT OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES
AFGHANISTAN TROOP INCREASE

REF: MADRID 2529

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires J. Robert Manzanares,
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 002579

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS SP NATO
SUBJECT: SPANISH PARLIAMENT OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES
AFGHANISTAN TROOP INCREASE

REF: MADRID 2529

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires J. Robert Manzanares,
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: The Spanish Parliament overwhelmingly
approved July 6 President Zapatero's proposal to increase
substantially Spain's troop presence in Afghanistan. The
vote was 302 in favor, 10 against and 1 abstention. Only the
former communist United Left party and several obscure
parties opposed the increase. Zapatero told parliament Spain
should commit the troops to continue its role in the "fight
against terrorism" and because, unlike the Iraq war, ISAF was
"legally" sanctioned by the UN, and NATO firmly supported the
force. Parliament approved an increase of Spain's
Afghanistan presence to a total of between 940 and 1,040
troops. Included in the 940-1,040 figure is a battalion of
400-500 troops to provide security for elections. The 540
additional troops will be distributed among Spain's 115-troop
contingent in Eurocorps and support and security elements for
4 helicopters, 2 C-130s and a field hospital (reftel). While
the contribution may be comparatively small, the Zapatero
government believes it is significant and wants the U.S. to
perceive it as a major step. End summary.


2. (SBU) Zapatero launched the debate explaining at length
his justification for deployment. Drawing a contrast with
his perception of the Iraq war and subsequent security
operations there, Zapatero said an increase in Spain's
presence in Afghanistan was consistent with PSOE's support of
the Aznar government's decision to send troops there in the
first place, and was legal under international law. Zapatero
repeated multiple times during his speech that his proposed
troop increased was consistent with international law and the
various UN resolutions on Afghanistan.


3. (SBU) Popular Party opposition leader Mariano Rajoy
replied first that Zapatero had broken a campaign promise to
consult parliament before deciding to send troops abroad.
This decision, said Rajoy, was already made before Zapatero
brought his proposal to parliament. But Rajoy was most
emphatic when he said the PP supported the troop increase and
criticized Zapatero for appearing "ashamed" to deploy the
troops. "If you were in my position," said Rajoy, "you would
oppose sending the troops and your party would take to the
streets immediately to denounce the decision." Instead of
appearing ill at east with his own decision, Zapatero should
tell the Spanish people he is "proud that Spain will
participate in a mission like Afghanistan, fighting terror
and standing close with Spain's allies." Spain should "feel
good about itself" when it fulfills its international
responsibilities," asserted Rajoy.


4. (SBU) After more than four hours of debate, the
parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the deployment.
Only the former communist United Left party and a couple of
regional fringe parties voted against. The final count: In
favor of the deployment, 302; against 10; abstain, 1.


5. (C) The Zapatero proposal that parliament endorsed
includes increasing Spain's Afghanistan presence to a total
of between 940 and 1,040 troops. Included in the 940-1,040
figure is a battalion of 400-500 troops to provide security
for elections. The 540 additional troops will be distributed
among Spain's 115-troop contingent in Eurocorps and support
and security elements for 4 helicopters, 2 C-130s and a field
hospital (reftel).


6. (SBU) Parliament also voted to send a peacekeeping
contingent of civil guard members to Haiti by a similar
margin. While Zapatero did not name a number, government
sources say approximately 100 Civil Guard will be sent.


7. (C) Comment: Zapatero's proposal to send substantially
more troops to Afghanistan and parliament's overwhelming
approval of the plan is the first sign since the Socialists'
March 14 electoral victory that Spain will remain
significantly engaged in the fight against international
terrorism ) albeit only in circumstances that can be
construed as humanitarian and, in Spain's judgment, fully
authorized by the UN. The Socialists have told us repeatedly
since they came to power they wish to maintain excellent
relations with the United States and to remain a faithful
ally. We have been strongly urging the GOS to make this
statement concrete by increasing Spain,s participation in
Afghanistan. Spain's Afghanistan contribution, while it
could have been greater, is larger than expected. The GOS
believes it is significant and hopes that it will augur well
for Spain-U.S. relations. It is only one step in the right
direction, but an important one.
MANZANARES