Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MADRID527
2009-06-02 17:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD VIEWS SPANISH
how-toVZCZCXRO9004 RR RUEHLA DE RUEHMD #0527/02 1531748 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021748Z JUN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0714 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0668 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1534 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 7340 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 4015
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 MADRID 000527
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE:E.SAMSON, S.ZERDECKI AND EUR/ERA
TRANSPORTATION FOR MARLISE STREITMATTER AND EDDIE CARAZO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELTN OVIP PGOV PREL SP
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD VIEWS SPANISH
HIGH-SPEED RAIL
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
MADRID 00000527 002 OF 002
Comment
--------------
7.(SBU) From post's and the GOS' point of view, the visit was
very successful. As this was the first visit of a member of
President Obama's Cabinet, it was very important to the GOS,
as shown by Minister Blanco's offer of a meeting with
President Zapatero, who almost never receives foreign cabinet
ministers. With European parliamentary elections a week
away, the GOS was eager for any favorable statements it could
get from a member of the Administration, and it ensured
thorough press coverage. The Secretary's statements praising
the GOS and the AVE were widely reported, including leading
the evening television news on May 29. The Secretary's
invitation to Minister Blanco to join the delegation for an
informal dinner helped strengthen our relationship with one
of President Zapatero's closest political allies, who has
been critical of the USG in the past. During the dinner,
Zapatero called Blanco to enthuse about favorable press
coverage of the visit. In addition to the political aspects
of the visit, GOS officials are genuinely proud of the AVE
and pleased that it is being studied by U.S. officials. They
hope that U.S. interest in the AVE will lead to greater
bilateral cooperation in both directions (they are interested
in learning from our experience with cargo rail) as well as
business opportunities for Spanish companies.
CHACON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE:E.SAMSON, S.ZERDECKI AND EUR/ERA
TRANSPORTATION FOR MARLISE STREITMATTER AND EDDIE CARAZO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELTN OVIP PGOV PREL SP
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD VIEWS SPANISH
HIGH-SPEED RAIL
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
MADRID 00000527 002 OF 002
Comment
--------------
7.(SBU) From post's and the GOS' point of view, the visit was
very successful. As this was the first visit of a member of
President Obama's Cabinet, it was very important to the GOS,
as shown by Minister Blanco's offer of a meeting with
President Zapatero, who almost never receives foreign cabinet
ministers. With European parliamentary elections a week
away, the GOS was eager for any favorable statements it could
get from a member of the Administration, and it ensured
thorough press coverage. The Secretary's statements praising
the GOS and the AVE were widely reported, including leading
the evening television news on May 29. The Secretary's
invitation to Minister Blanco to join the delegation for an
informal dinner helped strengthen our relationship with one
of President Zapatero's closest political allies, who has
been critical of the USG in the past. During the dinner,
Zapatero called Blanco to enthuse about favorable press
coverage of the visit. In addition to the political aspects
of the visit, GOS officials are genuinely proud of the AVE
and pleased that it is being studied by U.S. officials. They
hope that U.S. interest in the AVE will lead to greater
bilateral cooperation in both directions (they are interested
in learning from our experience with cargo rail) as well as
business opportunities for Spanish companies.
CHACON