NEW SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENSE EAGER

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000568

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ELAINE SAMSON, EUR/WE
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD LEW AMSELEM
OSD FOR CDR TODD SQUIRES

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR SP
SUBJECT: NEW SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENSE EAGER
TO WORK WITH UNITED STATES

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens, for reason 1.5(b)
and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Deputy Chief of Mission called May 21
on newly named Spanish Secretary of State for Defense
Constantino Mendez Martinez. They discussed the importance
and intensity of the U.S.-Spain military-to-military
relationship, robust trans-Atlantic defense industrial
cooperation, issues to be raised during May 27-28 meetings of
DOD and Spanish MOD officials in Washington, pending Spanish
acquisitions, and the need for all Allies to do more in
Afghanistan. Mendez replaces Soledad Lopez as the head of
the Spanish MOD's defense acquisitions policies and programs.
In this job just over a month, he readily admits he has much
to learn in the defense arena, but he professed an
appreciation for excellent cooperation between Spain and the
United States on materiel and training. Based on the fact
that it took less than a week to get the appointment --
despite an intervening Spanish holiday, and with the meeting
in fact moved up a week from the original time -- we expect
to forge a stronger, more fluid relationship with Secretary
Mendez than with his predecessor.


2. (C) The DCM outlined U.S. priorities in the Secretary of
State's domain -- both traditional areas of cooperation and
more innovative opportunities to respond to asymmetrical
threats such as narcotrafficking and illegal immigration. At
the close of the meeting, Mendez referred to Spain's
participation in the May 16 EU-Latin America Summit in Lima.
He noted Ibero-America's importance to Spain and reiterated
GOS messages about Spain's desire to fulfill its commitments
and play a constructive role in ongoing border conflicts.
The DCM referenced the October 2007 out-of-area visit of the
Commander of Southern Command Admiral Stavridis as well as
the May 12-13 visit of U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral
Allen as examples of high-level interaction outside the usual
mil-mil sphere. He noted the Spanish Chief of Defense
General Sanz had been forced to cancel a planned May 19 trip
to SOUTHCOM. In echoing Mendez's comments about the
potential for partnerships in Latin America, the DCM offered
what was likely food for thought for the new Secretary of
State.


3. (C) Mendez was amenable to visits that would build on
these new ideas. He told the DCM of Defense Minister
Chacon's hope to travel to the United States early in her
tenure as part of a first-phase of official visits. The
request is informal at this point, but he explained Chacon
wanted to make very visible outreach to strategically
important bordering countries, France and Morocco, and the
United States. Chacon gave birth May 19 and is expected to
be on maternity leave for six to eight weeks. Nonetheless,
Mendez was keen to make the DCM aware of her interest in
connecting with Washington counterparts upon her return to
duty.


4. (C) Mendez noted he had accompanied Minister Chacon on
her first visit outside of Spain as Minister, to visit
Spanish troops in Afghanistan in April. He said the trip
demonstrated Spain's continuing commitment. He also reported
the MOD would seek approval at the May 23 Council of
Ministers for new overseas deployments, both to Chad and an
increase in the naval component engaged in peacekeeping in
Lebanon. In all these situations, Mendez expressed Spain's
desire to maintain a clearly defined presence. He likewise
appreciated the excellent U.S.-Spain relationship,
particularly partnerships on training and equipment, and said
the new Minister hoped to continue in that vein despite
budgetary restrictions. In acquisitions, Mendez said Spain
would have to be "very selective but prudent." He said he
would draw on his prior experience in resource management to
come up with a "plan of work for defense acquisitions" in an
organized fashion. In doing so, he would value potent,
direct contact with the U.S. Mission.


5. (C) The DCM referenced productive Joint Staff talks in
Madrid May 19-20, and cited a Spanish center devoted to
improvised explosive device (IED) training as one more
example of an opportunity for closer, non-traditional
collaboration. Though he said he was commenting "very much
from memory," Mendez mentioned Spain had indeed offered to
share its IED expertise with NATO to create a center of
excellence. In offering the center to EU and other partners,
he said, Spain hoped to increase the collective potential for
protecting our troops.


6. (C) COMMENT: Mendez is well respected, apparently loyal
to the new Minister of Defense, and reportedly friendly with
President Rodriguez Zapatero. A lawyer by training, Mendez
is considered an expert in crisis management. He served as
Secretary of State for Public Administration in the 1990s and
has been active in the Socialist Party leadership. Most
critically for us, in turning a "new page" in U.S.-Spanish
security relations, he professes an eagerness to work with
the United States to expand our areas of cooperation. It
will be important to close quickly pending loops of interest
to the Spanish, including Tomahawk, LAIRCM, and the
troublesome DSP-83 issue, in order to begin our new
partnership Mendez on solid ground and move forward.
Aguirre