SPANISH MOD DEMONSTRATES INTENT TO CONTINUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MADRID 001748 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE OSD FOR OSD/P E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR NATO SP SUBJECT: SPANISH MOD DEMONSTRATES INTENT TO CONTINUE IMPROVING BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP Classified By: Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre for reasons 1.4 (b)&(d). ¶1. (C/NF) SUMMARY. The day after standing beside the Ambassador during the Ambassador's July 4th speech, Defense Minister Alonso sat down with the Ambassador to talk at length about Asian security policy, Alonso's planned fall visit to Washington, NATO, Spanish politics, and bilateral defense issues. Alonso made plain that his Ministry of Defense, and by extension the GOS, in which he is a key adviser in Zapatero's innermost circle, intend to continue improving relations with the US and are searching for pragmatic ways to do so. He expressed concern about the North Korean missile test and asked for more information about US policies on Asia, particularly China (see Ambassador's suggestion below). Alonso is eager to pin down dates for a meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld in Washington, as the two agreed on the margins of the recent NATO Defense Ministerial. ¶2. (C/NF) Alonso said that the GOS is united behind MOD's proposal to fulfill the US-Spain defense treaty's requirement to develop operating norms for the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). He emphasized that the GOS needs a signed agreement for public consumption and that he will ensure that the agreement would not interfere with operations. (NOTE: Alonso and MOD have accepted the idea of testing their proposal for six months, which could allow for adjustments if needed.) Alonso and the Ambassador agreed to strengthen the US-Spain Permanent Committee's ability to deal with issues such as NCIS/OSI by meeting formally on a regular basis and on occasion including outside experts (e.g., EUCOM) when appropriate. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C/NF) The Ambassador met privately with Defense Minster Jose Antonio Alonso on July 5. Alonso had attended the Embassy's July 4th event the night before, where he stood by the podium as the Ambassador delivered his remarks. Alonso's staff told PolCouns that Alonso's attendance was intended as a clear signal of his good intentions towards the US. Alonso told the Ambassador that he appreciated the Ambassador's July 4th remarks, particularly his comments on the important symbolism of flags and his memory of seeing Spanish flags draped over the coffins of Spanish soldiers who had died in Afghanistan in August 2005. ¶4. (C/NF) In their meeting, Alonso, who has been Defense Minister for about two months, told the Ambassador that he is well aware that the broad US-Spain relationship has not been great over the past few years. He emphasized that he is working to improve it. Alonso said that he understands that Zapatero has made mistakes in dealing with the US, but that they are now committed to making the relationship stronger. He and the Ambassador agreed that the past cannot be undone, and that they should focus on the future of the relationship. -- ASIAN STRATEGIC ISSUES -- ¶5. (C/NF) Alonso expressed GOS dismay over North Korea's missile tests, and agreed with the Ambassador's assertion that N. Korea intended the test to be provocative. Alonso acknowledged that many Spaniards, even in the government, are not familiar with Asian security issues and may have trouble interpreting events in the region. He said that he has been well briefed on N. Korea and is clear that it presents a serious threat to the world. Alonso also said that he understands that Iran and N. Korea are watching and learning from each other. ¶6. (C/NF) Alonso asked the Ambassador about US views on Iran. The Ambassador explained that Iran cannot be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. He said that the US would like the EU to stay in the lead on this issue. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of the EU acting in harmony in its dealings with Iran, because Iran is alert to the slightest sound of discord. He told Alonso that the US had closely watched the Iranian FM's visit to Spain and had been glad to see that Spanish FM Moratinos kept to the EU line. Alonso said that he would like to have a detailed discussion of US policy towards China during his next meeting with the Ambassador. -- ALONSO VISIT TO WASHINGTON -- MADRID 00001748 002 OF 003 ¶7. (C/NF) Regarding the Alonso's planned meeting with SecDef in late October or early November, the Ambassador told Alonso that he could expect Secretary Rumsfeld to discuss NATO transformation since their meeting would be just weeks before the NATO Summit in Riga. Alonso replied that the GOS supports transforming NATO so that it can better address current threats. He noted that Spain wants cost sharing to be a part of any discussion of NATO transformation and that the GOS would like stronger support from the US on this issue. The Ambassador told Alonso that Secretary Rumsfeld is likely to encourage the GOS to make an effort to increase its overall defense spending, especially given that the Spanish economy is currently quite strong. The Ambassador also said that SecDef would also likely want to discuss the current NCIS/OSI issue, as well as Spain's defense sale to Venezuela. -- BILATERAL DEFENSE ISSUES -- ¶8. (C/NF) On the question of developing agreed operating procedures, as required by the US-Spain defense treaty, for the activities of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in Spain, Alonso told the Ambassador that the GOS is united behind the proposal that MOD Policy Director Torrente has discussed with EUCOM Commander General Jones. He said that Spain must have a signed agreement covering NCIS/OSI for domestic political reasons. Alonso said that the proposal offers the greatest flexibility that the GOS can give to NCIS/OSI. He insisted that the document is written with an eye towards public perception and that MOD would not implement it in a way that would be operationally restrictive. The Ambassador replied that he understands that this is no longer a purely military issue and said that he wants to see it resolved, but that the USG takes signed agreements very seriously and that General Jones is still working out details with Torrente. ¶9. (C/NF) In hopes of preventing other bilateral defense issues from becoming long-term irritants, the Ambassador asked Alonso if there were other subjects that needed to be raised to a higher level. Alonso said that he was unaware of any such issues. The Ambassador proposed that the US-Spain Permanent Committee, which manages all issues related to the bilateral defense treaty, meet in formal session on a regular basis and provide a report to the Defense Minister and Ambassador on pending issues. The Ambassador explained that this format would also give the PC the opportunity to bring in subject matter experts from EUCOM or other organizations. Alonso accepted this suggestion, and immediately after the meeting told Torrente to implement the plan. -- DOMESTIC POLITICS -- ¶10. (C/NF) Alonso said that neither the recently passed Catalan Autonomy Statute nor the ETA "peace process" will lead to the Balkanization of Spain. He said that the Statute gives the Catalan government a bit more control over its airports and finances, but doesn't remove the central government's authority over the region. Alonso pointed out that it is a mistake to think of "the Basques" as a monolithic group any more than all Californians can be considered as a monolithic group. Alonso said that there is plenty of opportunity to negotiate with the Basques in a political context once the GOS has removed ETA as a terrorist threat. He told the Ambassador that he can't understand why ex-President Aznar has been so negatively outspoken on the Basque peace process. -- COMMENT -- ¶11. (C/NF) Alonso is much more than the Defense Minister. Because he is a childhood friend of President Zapatero and a member of the inner circle, a strong US relationship with Alonso offers the opportunity to work with him to influence GOS policy on a range of security, defense, and international issues. He is not likely to challenge FM Moratinos directly on foreign policy, but he is an important voice close to Zapatero's ear. He indicated to the Ambassador that he is interested in learning more about US policy in Asia, particularly China. We should take advantage of this opportunity to influence a key leader by offering him detailed briefings (in Spanish if possible) during his late fall trip to Washington to meet with SecDef. MADRID 00001748 003 OF 003 ¶12. (C/NF) In the two months since Alonso replaced Bono at MOD, we have seen an improvement in MOD's attitude and decisions. The improvement has manifested itself as an effort to be as helpful as possible on policy issues. On issues such the US candidate for NATO SCR in Afghanistan and the wrangling with Kyrgyzstan over Manas air base, MOD officials have gone out of their way to find ways to support the US position, and to be sure that we were well aware of what they are doing. Alonso is friendly and pragmatic towards the US. It is apparent that he has instructed his top staff to follow his example. AGUIRRE