DEMARCHE ON NATO TRAINING IN IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002854 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2014 TAGS: IZ SP NATO MAPS SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON NATO TRAINING IN IRAQ REF: STATE 161037 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR KATHLEEN M. FITZPATRICK FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. CONFIDENTIAL - Entire text. ¶2. (C) POLCOUNS discussed USG desire for "dual-hatted" command and control for the NATO training mission in Iraq (Reftel) with Spanish MFA Director General for UN, NATO, Counter-terrorism and non-proliferation affairs Arturo Laclaustra. Laclaustra was grateful for our intervention (we left points as a non-paper),but had no immediate comment, saying that he was awaiting guidance from MFA senior leadership. (FYI -- FM Morationos, Deputy FM Leon and Political Director Dezcallar -- MFA's top three -- are all traveling. Leon is currently in the US set to meet with D on July 26). Laclaustra did not appear fully briefed on the issue and had no specific comment or questions. We urged GOS to support rapid approval of the NATO traiing mission inside Iraq, and emphasized the importance of the dual-hatted command and control arrangement. MANZANARES