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

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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