(S) SPAIN: RESPONSE TO FOLLOW UP REQUEST RE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 001042

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/WE, AF/C; LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PINS PINR UK SP EQ
SUBJECT: (S) SPAIN: RESPONSE TO FOLLOW UP REQUEST RE
EQUATORIAL GUINEA COUP PLOT

REF: A. STATE 43081


B. STATE 37166

C. MADRID 861

Classified By: Ricardo Zuniga, Political Officer.
Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D)


1. (S) Summary: Spanish Foreign Ministry officials have
conveyed their concern that the USG released an incorrect
report regarding a possible coup plot against the Government
of Equatorial Guinea (GREG) that could adversely affect
Spain's recent efforts to normalize bilateral relations with
Equatorial Guinea (EG). The Spanish Government has sought to
reassure President Obiang that it did not withhold credible
information on the alleged coup plot. Spanish officials
recommended that the USG share sensitive information on EG
with Spain before releasing it to the GREG to allow the GOS
to investigate its credibility first. End Summary.


2. (S) Poloff met March 11 with Spanish Ministry of Foreign
(MFA) Deputy Director for sub-Saharan African Affairs,
Antonio Sanchez-Benedito and Chief of Staff Nuria Reigosa
Gonzalez to follow up on the GOS investigation of a possible
coup plot being hatched in Spain against the GREG (refs A and
B). Sanchez-Benedito said Spain appreciated being informed
by the USG on details of the plot. He explained that during
FM Moratinos' February 27-28 visit to Equatorial Guinea (EG),
the GOS had given President Obiang assurances that it
rejected any acts to destabilize the GREG and would use all
legal means available to prevent a coup from being organized
in Spain (Note: Reigosa provided a readout on Moratinos' EG
trip in a meeting with poloffs on Friday, March 4.)


3. (C) Sanchez-Benedito then passed Poloff a March 10
Spanish EFE press report stating that President Obiang had
publicly commented that day that the USG had informed the GOS
of the coup plot, but the "Spanish government has not wanted
to respond." According to the news article, Obiang implied
that the GOS's failure to act on the information proved that
its "hatred of Equatorial Guinea had increased further," and
that Spain's "envy" of USG ties to EG's petroleum sector
contributed to the GOS's silence on the coup plot.
Sanchez-Benedito said that the USG release to the GREG of
information contained in the USG report hurt Spain's ongoing
efforts to normalize relations with EG especially following
Foreign Minister Moratinos, visit there.


4. (S) Since previous discussions with the MFA regarding a
possible coup plot in Spain against the GREG (ref C),
Sanchez-Benedito said Spanish investigations had proved some
details in the USG report were false. He explained that the
GOS had linked certain Lebanese businessman in Madrid to a
possible coup plot. There was no evidence that these
individuals were involved in planning meetings in Madrid or
Marbella. Sanchez-Benedito said GOS sources had identified a
Guinean professor at the University of Salamanca, an EG
dissent and member of the Movement for the Self-Determination
of Bioko Island. However, contrary to the USG report, the
professor did not appear to be connected to the coup plotters
identified in the USG report or those involved in the foiled
coup attempt in February 2004. Sanchez-Benedito said the
claim by the source of the USG,s report that there were as
many as 1000 troops prepared to participate in the coup also
appeared to be false, according to GOS sources.


5. (S) Sanchez-Benedito said that the USG report had created
an "embarrassing situation" for the GOS, and the Spanish
Embassy in Malabo had already briefed President Obiang on the
report's inaccuracies revealed by the GOS investigation. He
explained Spanish officials have worked hard to engage the
GREG at the highest levels to repair bilateral relations.
Sanchez-Benedito said the GOS would have liked to have seen
and commented on the credibility of the USG report before it
was released to the GREG. He asked Poloff to convey Spain's
desire to share sensitive information on Equatorial Guinea
before its release to the GREG. This could help avoid
passing inaccurate information or damaging Spain's relations
with President Obiang, Sanchez-Benedito said.


6. (S) Comment: Although the tone of the meeting on the
MFA's investigation of the alleged coup plot against
Equatorial Guinea was cordial, and the Deputy Director for
sub-Saharan African Affairs Sanchez-Benedito expressed the
GOS appreciation for the USG report, it was clear that the
MFA officials believe that the USG report has adversely
affected its recent efforts to repair bilateral relations
with Equatorial Guinea. The Spanish argued that they have
credible information that disproves the information contained
in the USG report and have presented this information to
President Obiang as damage control following his comments on
the coup plot in the EG national press. Thus far, the MFA
has kept details on the coup plot and Obiang's comments from
appearing in popular Spanish press.
MANZANARES