Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MADRID1048
2008-10-03 09:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:  

SPANISH INTEREST IN FEATURED ROLE AT GI EXERCISE

Tags:  MCAP PARM PINR PINS PREL KGIC SP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7781
RR RUEHLA
DE RUEHMD #1048 2770954
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 030954Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5395
INFO RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0521
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3592
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001048 

SIPDIS

PASS TO BRIAN LEWIS OF ISN/WMDT, TIM KATSAPIS OF T, AND
ELAINE SAMSON OF EUR/WE.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: MCAP PARM PINR PINS PREL KGIC SP
SUBJECT: SPANISH INTEREST IN FEATURED ROLE AT GI EXERCISE
PLANNING GROUP

REF: SECSTATE 101862

Classified By: Acting DCM Dan Keller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001048

SIPDIS

PASS TO BRIAN LEWIS OF ISN/WMDT, TIM KATSAPIS OF T, AND
ELAINE SAMSON OF EUR/WE.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: MCAP PARM PINR PINS PREL KGIC SP
SUBJECT: SPANISH INTEREST IN FEATURED ROLE AT GI EXERCISE
PLANNING GROUP

REF: SECSTATE 101862

Classified By: Acting DCM Dan Keller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post delivered draft agenda for the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism's meeting of its
Exercise Planning Group in Washington, DC during November
13-14, 2008. GOS officials indicated Spain's intention to
attend and responded positively to a USG suggestion that the
Spanish deliver a presentation during a workshop on the
mechanics of conducting international exercises.



2. (SBU) PolOff and Brian Lewis of ISN/WDT delivered the
draft agenda to Spanish inter-agency officials on September
24, the final day of a three-day working-level visit to Spain
by US officials on GI issues. The Spanish were hosting the
US delegation to help plan the Field Training Exercise (FTX)
that the GOS and USG will present to GI partners in Avila,
Spain during October 15-17. Lewis, who led the US delegation,
acknowledged and expressed USG support for Spain's busy role
on GI issues during 2008. Madrid hosted a GI Table Top
Exercise in May, the GI Plenary Meeting in June, and is
preparing the FTX in October.


3. (SBU) In presenting the draft agenda for the November EPG,
Lewis indicated that the USG would welcome a presentation by
the GOS on any lessons learned on multilateral cooperation
and communication as a result of its GI activities this year.
He noted that such a presentation could be especially useful
for future hosts of GI events, especially those from
developing countries who could follow the GOS example.


4. (C) Both during the September 24 meeting and in subsequent
conversations with PolOff, Spain's two primary contacts on GI
issues -- Joaquin Collado, adviser to Deputy Minister of
Interior Antonio Camacho, and Carlos Torres, Counselor for
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at the MFA -- both
indicated GOS interest in attending the EPG and supporting
the exercise workshop. Torres stated that the GOS has plenty
of material available based on its TTX that was presented at
the Plenary that would just need to be updated.


5. (C) In the September 24 meeting, Torres also made several
other observations. He noted that the GI is not well
established in Latin America and suggested that, with
combined USG and GOS encouragement, Chile might provide an
opportunity for further progress in that region. He also
indicated that the GOS would prefer that the IAEA and the GI
more closely link their activities. He remarked that the GI
conducts state-of-the-art exercises and suggested the IAEA
could learn from what the GI is doing.


6. (U) This cable has been cleared by Brian Lewis of ISN/WMDT.

KELLER