DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION'S JULY 3, 2008, MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000741 SIPDIS FOR EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018 TAGS: PREL PARM NATO KV AF IR SP SUBJECT: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION'S JULY 3, 2008, MEETING WITH SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN POLICY LOSSADA REF: A. STATE 69691 ¶B. MADRID 678 ¶C. MADRID 610 Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION HUGO LLORENS, REASONS 1.4(B),(D) . ¶1. (C) Summary: Deputy Chief of Mission Llorens met July 3 with Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Policy Angel Lossada. They discussed Lossada's visit to Washington, our concern over the tone of some recent public remarks by GOS and Socialist Party officials, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, Latin America, Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and NATO membership action plan for Ukraine and Georgia. End summary. ¶2. (C) Lossada expressed great satisfaction with his meetings in Washington during his June visit. He said the GOS wanted to maintain an intensive pace in bilateral relations that would carry through the transition in the U.S. next year. The months between now and January, he said, should be months of work, not of waiting. The DCM agreed, noting that Spain and the U.S. had many important issues on the table such as counter-terrorism, law enforcement, Iran, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and NATO enlargement. Citing President Zapatero's June 26 speech on the world food crisis, The DCM cautioned Lossada regarding Spanish commentary on the U.S. elections. He said it would be unfortunate to allow a negative tone to creep into the public discourse at a time when senior officials in both governments had been working so hard and successfully to build positive momentum in the relationship. (The DCM mentioned he had raised the issue with Zapatero's Director of International Policy and Security Milagros Hernando and that she had undertaken to discuss it with Zapatero.) Lossada emphasized that Spain looked forward to working with whoever won in November. He noted there was a tradition in Europe of parties of similar ideological stripes joining hands across national borders, but he recognized the U.S. context was different. He mentioned that during France's last presidential race, the Spanish socialists had naturally felt an affinity for their French counterparts, but he said that had not affected Spain's determination to work with Sarkozy. Lossada insisted Spain's relationship was with the United States, not with a particular party, and he emphasized the strong ties on security, trade and investment, 
and culture. ¶3. (C) The DCM congratulated Lossada on Spain's hosting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in June. Lossada underscored Spain's commitment on this important issue and said they were working to bring more countries from Latin America and Africa into the fold. ¶4. (C) Referring to Lossada's recent meetings with the Deputy Secretary and A/S Shannon in Washington and his own meeting earlier in the week with Spanish Secretary of State for Iberoamerica Trinidad Jimenez (septel),the DCM noted that Spain and the U.S. shared common views on many issues in Latin America and should be looking for synergy in their respective efforts to support democratic governance and the rule of law. He noted Jimenez offered to provide information on Spain's efforts in that regard. Lossada said he had discussed the same issue with Jimenez after talking to the Deputy Secretary and A/S Shannon. He noted Spain was "very" present in the region and was working in key countries such as Colombia and Mexico and in Central America. The DCM noted differences on tactics regarding Cuba, urging that Spain and the EU keep the focus on human rights and democratic change. Lossada agreed that these were key issues and said the recent EU decision regarding sanctions was reached only after lengthy discussion and careful consideration. He described it as a serious decision which he believed would help foster positive change in Cuba. He emphasized that Spain wanted a democratic Cuba in which human rights were fully respected. Based on his meetings in Washington, Lossada described the U.S. reaction to the EU decision as basically positive and said the U.S., EU, and individual European states could work together for the good of Cuba. ¶5. (C) The DCM noted U.S. and Spanish differences on Kosovo, but reviewed the very positive developments there including the new constitution. He said Spain's continued presence in KFOR was appreciated but emphasized that Spanish support for EULEX and for the donor's conference in July was also important. While recognizing Spanish domestic considerations, the DCM stressed that stability in the Balkans should be the overriding concern. Lossada said there would be no change on Spain's position on recognition in the short term, but he emphasized that Spain's commitment to KFOR MADRID 00000741 002 OF 002 was firm. He pointed to recent congressional testimony by the MOD to that effect and dismissed rumors that Spain might use a possible multinational response to Somali piracy as an excuse to leave KFOR. He noted that Spain's continued presence in KFOR had brought domestic criticism but again insisted Spain would stay in KFOR. Lossada said Spain was also helping by supporting moderate elements in Serbia, something he said they were well-positioned to do because of the position they had taken on independence. The DCM noted the U.S. also was making every effort to reach out to Serbia, even as we helped keep Kosovo on the right path. ¶6. (C) Turning to Iran, the DCM noted the P5 1 package had been delivered to Iran and underscored the importance of implementing UN sanctions to ensure Iran got the message. Lossada agreed that international consensus on sanctions was vital. He noted the EU's recent additional sanctions and said Iran must see that the entire international community was united on this issue. The DCM also described the progress being made in Iraq, noting that the gains, while fragile, were real and very encouraging. Lossada said that regardless of past differences over the invasion of Iraq, it was now in Spanish interest for the new Iraq to be a success. He said any positive development there was cause for happiness in Spain. Lossada mentioned he had attended the May Iraq Compact review conference in Stockholm and found the mood positive. He noted Spain had committed to do more on refugees and IDPs. ¶7. (C) The DCM described continuing interest in Spain sending more police trainers to Afghanistan, noting we had discussed the issue with both MOD and MOI. Lossada said Spain's commitment to Afghanistan had exacted a great toll in human terms, with nearly 100 troops lost, but Spain was looking for ways to increase its contribution. He mentioned the training and equipping of an Afghan Army company and Spain's recent pledges for the agricultural sector at the Paris donor's conference. ¶8. (C) The DCM raised the issue of including Ukraine and Georgia in the NATO membership action plan. Surprisingly, before the DCM could even finish his initial point about the importance of this issue to the U.S., Lossada interrupted to say "we do not have a problem; we are there." He added that Spain was "not holding up anything." ¶9. (C) Comment: The impression given on Ukraine and Georgia was that Lossada was aware Spain might be regarded as an impediment and wanted to lay that rumor to rest. His comments were emphatic and certainly more positive than previous discussions we have had with GOS officials (refs b and c). Lossada (whom we knew well in his previous capacity as MFA Director General for Counter-Terrorism) has quickly developed a good grasp of his new and more challenging portfolio. He clearly appreciated the attention he received in Washington and indicated that he expects to be frequent visitor. LLORENS