SPAIN'S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY STILL CONSIDERING

UNCLAS MADRID 002353 SIPDIS STATE PASS USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV MOPS AF SP NATO SUBJECT: SPAIN'S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY STILL CONSIDERING AFGHAN PRT PLAN ¶1. This is an action message. USAID, Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. Econoff met June 17 with Deputy Director for Africa and Asia Cristina Diaz Fernandez-Gil at Spain's Development Agency (AECI) to discuss AECI's planning for the Spanish Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Qal-i-now. Diaz said that Spain was still in the planning phase concerning the management, resources and logistics for the PRT. Econoff provided information on State Department, USAID, and USDA representatives embedded in other countries' PRTs. ¶3. ACTION REQUEST. Diaz said that she would be traveling June 25-July 5 to Herat and Qal-i-now with a small Spanish delegation from AECI and the MFA. They will be meeting with United Nations agency officials, local government leaders and conducting a survey of the requirements necessary to launch the civilian side of the PRT. Diaz expressed interest in meeting the USAID representative for western Afghanistan when they pass through Herat. Embassy requests USAID's assistance in arranging this meeting. MANZANARES