SPAIN: RESPONSE TO FUNDING AFGHANISTAN'S

UNCLAS MADRID 001564 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS TO EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID AF SP UNSC SUBJECT: SPAIN: RESPONSE TO FUNDING AFGHANISTAN'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS REF: STATE 61560 Poloff delivered reftel points on April 12 to Carlos Morales Sanchez, Subdirector General for Continental Asia, at the Spanish MFA. On April 22, Poloff received a response from Morales Sanchez. Morales Sanchez said that the Spanish government will make a national contribution in support of Afghanistan's national parliamentary elections, but that the government has not yet determined the amount of the contribution. He said that the issue was currently being studied by the Agency for Cooperation, the Spanish version of USAID. Morales Sanchez further stressed Spain's commitment to the democratic process in Afghanistan, citing its past monetary donations and its decision to lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team and to commit troops to a Forward Support Base. MANZANARES