(S) SPAIN: RESPONSE TO FOLLOW UP REQUEST RE EQUATORIAL GUINEA COUP PLOT

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