AMBASSADOR'S FEBRUARY 10 CALL ON SPANISH CHIEF OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000188 SIPDIS FOR EUR/WE OSD FOR ANDREW WINTERNITZ JOINT STAFF FOR LTC THERESE PAWLOWSKI E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2020 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR NATO AF SP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FEBRUARY 10 CALL ON SPANISH CHIEF OF DEFENSE REF: MADRID 90 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Arnold A. Chacon, for reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador called February 10 on Chief of Defense (CJCS-equivalent) General Jose Julio Rodriguez. The meeting was warm and brief. The two discussed the issue of strategic communications on our shared mission in Afghanistan, U.S. access to Spanish military bases, and the limited prospects for spending on future capabilities in the current budget environment. Rodriguez also mentioned his visits to Afghanistan, NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and Istanbul (with Defense Minister Chacon for the defense ministers' meeting February 4-5). He said these encounters were all positive and that they also reinforced the strong relationship between the USG and GOS. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Rodriguez echoed Spanish support for President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan, citing Defense Minister Chacon's plans to brief Congress the week of February 15 regarding Spain's additional promised troops. Rodriguez mentioned that the GOS had decided to increase its deployment even before the President Obama's December 2009 strategy announcement, and that this reflected a "significant commitment" on behalf of the GOS. Rodriguez stated the Spanish Congress would take up the technical details of the deployment on February 17. Rodriguez expected Congress would address any lingering legislative concerns, including the limitations on Spanish helicopters to perform only a predetermined set of mission types. This would make them available for a broader spectrum of operations including medical evacuations, civilian support, and military missions. Regarding the deployment schedule for additional troops, Rodriguez stated he expected the troops to be on the ground by mid-March and said the troops had already been trained and were ready to deploy pending orders. Finally, Rodriguez clarified that Spain did not intend to move any troops from one location to another within Afghanistan. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for Spain's contributions in Afghanistan, as well as for its military commitments to Operation Althea in Bosnia. The Ambassador said he understood the changing nature of the mission in Bosnia, but stressed the USG hopes the GOS will defer any decisions regarding the withdrawal of troops until after October 2010 elections. ¶4. (C) The CHOD reiterated several times that the GOS understands the need to communicate its Afghanistan policy better to both internal and external audiences, but he said Spain was not alone in this problem, mentioning specifically Canada and the Netherlands. In order to improve strategic communications efforts, the GOS will be targeting tailored messages to specific audiences. These messages will be designed to convey how policies and decisions directly affect the targeted audience. A key aspect of the strategy will be to change the mindset that Afghanistan is "an American war." General Rodriguez emphasized that 44 countries are involved and each has a vested interest in the outcome. He also said it was important to describe the need to "protect Spanish security" against all threats. ¶5. (C) Turning to acquisition programs, the Ambassador asked about MOD consideration of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as part of a comprehensive modernization strategy to meet Spain's defensive requirements. (Note: Spain is not a buyer or partner yet but has asked to learn more. End note.) Rodriguez indicated the MOD had received its annual budget only in January 2010 and noted it had already been cut once. He added future programs had all been re-prioritized and that nothing would happen in the foreseeable future. He said that the MOD would maintain open channels with the contractor so that Spain can stay informed as the program moves forward, but emphasized he was in no position to commit to any future acquisitions before 2011. ¶6. (C) The Ambassador thanked Rodriguez for U.S. access to Spanish bases and said he was looking forward to visiting both Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Force Base the week of February 22. Rodriguez characterized the overall military-to-military relationship as strong and said he was happy with the current amicable environment, thinking it to be the most effective way to continue the relationship. In closing, Rodriguez invited the Ambassador to contact him directly and without hesitation if he needed anything or wanted to discuss any issues. CHACON