SPAIN WELCOMES CODEL LOWEY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MADRID 001492

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR CONGRESSWOMAN NITA LOWEY FROM AMBASSADOR AGUIRRE
H FOR CHERITH NORMAN
H PLEASE PASS LTCOL BARBARA JORGENSEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2017
TAGS: OREP PREL SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN WELCOMES CODEL LOWEY


Classified By: Amb. Eduardo Aguirre for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Dear Madame Chairwoman: I welcome you to Spain on
behalf of our 367 American and Spanish colleagues serving the
United States at Mission Spain. In addition to being a
beautiful, historic and culturally rich nation, Spain is a
valued U.S. partner and an important geostrategic player.
Spain has achieved a remarkable transformation since the end
of dictatorship 30 years ago. It is one of the leading
democracies in Europe and has the eighth-largest economy in
the world. I hope you and your delegation will enjoy your
stay.

//POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP//


2. (C) Spain cooperates closely with the U.S. in the areas
of counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, military and defense
programs, non-proliferation, and Latin America. Spain is an
important NATO ally, a key player in the European Union, and
currently holds the rotating presidency of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Though it removed
its troops from Iraq in 2004 shortly after President
Zapatero's unexpected election, Spain has contributed $22
million to the construction of a children's hospital in
Basrah, Iraq in 2006, continues to fulfill a $300 million
pledge for reconstruction in Iraq and recently pledged an
additional $28 million to the effort. Spain has made a
strong, long-term commitment to NATO's mission in
Afghanistan, where it has 690 soldiers deployed to the
Badghis Provincial Reconstruction Team and Forward Support
Base; it has also contributed 150 million euros to Afghan
reconstruction. Spain has deployed 1100 soldiers to Lebanon,
where they lead a multi-national brigade of UN peacekeeping
forces (UNIFIL) assigned to the volatile tri-border region
between Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Recently, a terrorist
strike killed six members of the Spanish UNIFIL contingent.
Spain further supports U.S. strategic interests by allowing
the U.S. to share two important Spanish bases, Rota Naval
Station and Moron Air Force Base, in Southern Spain, as well
as providing blanket flight and overflight clearances. The
1500 U.S. military personnel at the two bases support
thousands of U.S. military flights and hundreds of U.S. ship
visits each year. Continued use of these bases is essential
to U.S. operations from the Mediterranean all the way to
Afghanistan.


3. (U) Spanish interest in Africa is increasing, as is
Spanish assistance to African nations, primarily in West
Africa and the Sahel. Over the past several years,
Sub-Saharan African migrants have been traveling by sea to
the Canary Islands or over land to the Moroccan Coast in an
attempt to gain entry into Spain and the European Union. In
2006, over 30,000 Sub-Saharan Africans migrated to the Canary
Islands by boat. It is impossible to estimate how many have
perished during the risky voyage, as boats have veered off
course and headed into the North Atlantic or capsized in West
African waters. Spain has opened several new Embassies in
West Africa and is also seeking to implement guest worker
programs to promote legal migration. Along with other EU
Mediterranean nations, principally Portugal, Italy, France
and Malta, Spain is trying to push the EU to increase
maritime patrolling and counter-immigration efforts along the
EU's southern border. Spain will always be a secondary
player to the French and British in Africa, but it has
increasing economic and security interests there and is keen
on maintaining stability in that part of the world.


4. (U) In addition, our economic relationship with Spain is
strong and mutually beneficial. The Spanish economy has
boomed in the last decade as a result of structural reforms,
EU aid, and membership in the Euro zone. The commercial
relationship is dominated by a very strong U.S. direct
investment presence, although two-way trade remains a
relatively minor percentage of each country's exports and
imports. Many of the U.S. Fortune 100 firms are present and
doing well. The American Chamber of Commerce estimates that
about five percent of Spain's annual GDP is derived from U.S.
investment. In recent years, U.S. portfolio investors have
bought significant shares in major Spanish firms. Spanish
firms have rediscovered America and are now investing in the
United States, especially in the banking and renewable energy
sectors, and Spanish construction companies have also won
important contracts in the U.S.

//CHALLENGES//


5. (C) The Spanish government maintains a policy of
engagement with certain governments that we feel
is counterproductive, including Cuba, Syria and Iran.

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Additionally, President Zapatero has at times pursued a
foreign policy agenda tailored more toward domestic electoral
politics than a commitment to shared transatlantic
principles. We would like the Spanish to increase their
troop commitment in Afghanistan. We would also like Spain to
maintain support for Kosovo's independence although this is a
sensitive issue for them due to their own complex federal vs.
regional struggle. Spain's Chairmanship of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is particularly
sensitive and important at present given the increasingly
complicated relationship between the Russian Federation and
NATO.

//THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT//


6. (C) President Zapatero will face reelection in March 2008
at the latest. His governing Spanish Socialist Workers Party
currently holds control of Parliament and several local and
regional governments, while the opposition conservative
People's Party (PP) maintains control over several urban
centers, including the all-important Madrid mayorship and
governorship. While anything can change between now and next
March, most local pundits are predicting the reelection of
Zapatero, due mainly to the inability of PP leader Mariano
Rajoy to galvanize and energize the Spanish population beyond
his center-right base. Should Zapatero win reelection, he
will become the elder statesman among the EU's big five (UK,
France, Germany, Italy, Spain) and will become an even
greater hero to European socialists than he already is. Key
factors which could influence the electoral outcome are the
potential for a slowing economy (based on an over-inflated
real estate and construction sector),as well as the impact
of any terrorist attacks (which changed the course of the
2004 national elections). Spanish foreign policy is
primarily pacifist, although the Spanish military strongly
supports the United States. The Zapatero government feels
much more comfortable committing troops to peacekeeping
operations than to combat.

//THE HUMAN ELEMENT//


7. (U) Public opinion of the United States is lower in Spain
than any other European nation, in part because Spain's 20th
century experience (a bloody civil war, lengthy isolated
dictatorship, neutrality in the World Wars and recent
transition to democracy) is different from that shared by the
U.S. and other Western European allies. While the political
relationship between Washington and Madrid has been erratic
at times over the past 4 years, the populations of both
nations remain keenly interested in the culture and customs
of the other. A tremendous number of American college
students undertake foreign-study terms in Spain, and Spain is
the number one destination for U.S. tourists in Europe.
Spanish retail clothing sensation Zara enjoys a growing
popularity in the United States. Spaniards meanwhile
continue to be fascinated by American music, films and
television; Spain has also become one of the world's
powerhouse basketball nations (the reigning World Champions).
Many Spaniards have traveled to or studied in the United
States, although English speakers are not in great supply.

//SEVILLA//


8. (U) Sevilla dates to Roman times, though it was not a
major city until the end of the Cordoba Caliphate in the 11th
century. Sevilla emerged as a major power center of the
Moorish presence in Spain until 1248, when Ferdinand III
definitively recaptured the city. Sevilla enjoyed global
prominence and tremendous wealth after Columbus' discovery of
the New World in 1492 when it was granted total control of
the trade relationship with the Spanish colonies. As the
Spanish empire declined, so too did Sevilla, facing several
plagues and the loss of control of the new world commercial
relationship. Its fortunes revived in the late 20th century,
when Sevillan Felipe Gonzalez was elected the first Socialist
president of Spain. Sevilla hosted the 1992 Expo world fair,
marking 500 years since Columbus' voyage, and has become an
increasingly popular tourist and student destination ever
since.


9. (U) The most interesting sites in Sevilla are the
Cathedral which dates to the 16th century and the adjoining
"Giralda" minaret which dates to the 12th century. Although
the Cathedral claims to be the burial place of Christopher
Columbus, there is no historical agreement on this point.
The Giralda affords great views of the city, although the
walk to the top of the tower is not for the faint of heart.
Also of interest is the "Alcazar" (palace/castle) near the
Cathedral, parts of which date to the 10th century. The main

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pastime in Sevilla, however, is simply enjoying the
Andalucian cuisine, wandering the narrow streets, and
appreciating the historic architecture, as well as
frequenting the extensive labyrinth of pedestrian shopping
boulevards. August is the hottest month of the year in
Sevilla, with temperatures sometimes reaching above 100 in
the afternoon.

//SECURITY ASSESSMENT//


10. (U) In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid,
Barcelona, Sevilla and other large cities in Spain attract a
large number of criminals and pickpockets and frequent
incidents of crime of opportunity against the unwary do
occur. Carry only essential items including a photocopy of
your passport's photo page. Visitors can protect themselves
against crime by being street-smart, alert and aware of their
surroundings. In the event you are victimized by crime, or
experience any security-related incident, please contact the
Embassy's Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550 or after
hours at 91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in
Madrid or the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged
to receive a security briefing from the RSO office at their
earliest convenience. Additional information regarding
safety and security in Spain is available on the U.S.
Department of State's website (www.embusa.es).

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Visit Embassy Madrid's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/madrid/
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AGUIRRE