Due Diligence for the Secretary of State's 2005

UNCLAS MADRID 003266

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR U/S SHINER FROM AMBASSADOR AGUIRRE

E.O. 12950: N/A
TAGS: BEXP EINV ELAB ETRD SENV SP
SUBJECT: Due Diligence for the Secretary of State's 2005
Award for Corporate Excellence

REF: STATE 165617


1. (SBU) I see no downside or embarrassment if GE Spain is
selected as one of this year's awardees for the Secretary of
State's Award for Corporate Excellence. In fact, such
recognition would highlight the contributions of a very
responsible corporate citizen that contributes to both
United States and Spanish economic growth. GE Spain imports
tens of millions of dollars worth of products and services
produced in the United States each year. While the firm has
a major plastics production facility in Spain, it imports
power generation, medical, and transport equipment.
Significant portions of each of these are sourced from
facilities in the United States. I can state with
confidence that GE Spain thus contributes directly to job
creation in the United States. GE Spain is also a model
employer. It consistently ranks highly in Spanish "best
place to work" surveys. Its environmental, health and
safety records are exemplary. GE Spain's major facility in
Cartegena is unionized.


2. (U) In sum, I am please to reaffirm our nomination of
GE Spain for this award.
MANZANARES