SPAIN: FURTHER REACTION TO GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 003118

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM, PM/RSAT, EAP/RSA
OSD FOR STRATEGY, EUR
JCS FOR STRATEGY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL KPAO SP NATO
SUBJECT: SPAIN: FURTHER REACTION TO GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE
DEMARCHE

REF: A. STATE 174698


B. MADRID 3103

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Robert J. Riley,
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Following up on ref A demarche and ref B reporting
cable concerning U.S. Global Defense Posture Review (GDPR),
we delivered the demarche August 15 to General Felix Sanz,
the Spanish Armed Forces' Chief of Defense, and Admiral
Francisco Torrente, Secretary General for Defense Policy at
the Ministry of Defense (undersecretary for policy
equivalent). Both defense officials received the demarche
very well. Sanz said he appreciated the update and the
advance notice of President Bush's speech. Spain
understands, said Sanz, that the U.S. has the freedom and the
right to revamp the placement of its forces as it sees fit.
The only thing Spain requests is advance notice of any impact
the changes will have on Spain.


2. (C) Torrente also welcomed the demarche, saying Spain has
been and will remain a loyal ally of the United States.
Spain appreciates the open dialogue it has had with the U.S.
on GDPR. The U.S., Torrente said, could count on very good
cooperation from Spain on GDPR, just as Spain has cooperated
closely with the U.S. on defense matters for the last 50
years.


3. (C) Comment: Both defense officials appreciated the
advance notice of the President's speech and the GDPR update.
To the extent the evolving GDPR impacts Spain and
particularly the U.S. presence at Rota Naval Air Station and
Moron Air Base, the earlier we can communicate the relevant
details to the Spanish, the better.

MANZANARES