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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 129362 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019 TAGS: OVIP(CLINTON, HILLARY), KDRG, OVIP, MOPS, MNUC, MARR, PREL, PGOV, ZL, AF, CU, WI, EUN, SP SUBJECT: (U) SECRETARY CLINTON'S DECEMBER 14, 2009 CONVERSATION WITH SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS 1. Classified by EUR A/S Philip H. Gordon. Reason: 1.4 (d) 2. (U) December 14, 2009; 10:15 a.m.; Washington, DC. 3. (U) Participants: U.S. The Secretary Spokesman Ian Kelly Assistant Secretary Philip H. Gordon Special Assistant Joe MacManus NSC Tobin Bradley Alexandra McKnight (EUR Notetaker) SPAIN Foreign Minister Moratinos Director General for the EU Miguel Angel Navarro Director General for North America and non-EU Europe Fernandez de la Pena Ambassador Jorge Dezcallar Deputy Communications Director Aranzazu Banon 4. (C) SUMMARY. During the Secretary,s December 14 meeting with Foreign Minister Moratinos, she noted that President Obama and President Zapatero set the tone for current positive bilateral relations during the October 13 White House summit, and that there is much opportunity for collaboration ahead. The Secretary expressed appreciation for Spanish troop and trainer commitments in Afghanistan, for continued use of Spanish bases, and for Zapatero,s commitment to resettle five Guantanamo detainees. On the Balkans, she stressed the need to continue the Butmir Process and maintain EUFOR. Moratinos mentioned the proposed Madrid U.S-EU Summit, and the Secretary responded that the U.S. would let the EU handle its internal deliberations on structure under Lisbon Treaty arrangements. The Secretary regretted that President Obama,s schedule did not permit him to receive King Juan Carlos in early December but noted that the White House is looking into the date of January 25 for a visit. END SUMMARY. ----------- AFGHANISTAN ----------- 5. (C) The Secretary thanked Moratinos for Spain,s commitment of additional troops and aid in Afghanistan, noting her appreciation as well for sustained US use of Spanish bases Rota and Moron, calling them &critical in our effort.8 Moratinos said that U.S. use of the bases is &permanent8 and lauded ongoing military-to-military cooperation. He noted that the Minister of Defense has expressed interest in making &technical adjustments8 to the defense cooperation agreement, but that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has impressed upon the MOD its opposition to Spain asking to re-open the DCA. 6. (C) Moratinos said Spain is &extremely committed8 to the mission in Afghanistan and noted Spain,s desire to go &above and beyond.8 On December 17, the Ministry of Defense will officially announce a further contribution of 522 troops (and note Spain,s previous commitment of 40 additional Guardia Civil), and the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs will jointly announce a contribution to the Afghan National Trust Fund. Moratinos did not give a monetary figure but said it will be &in line with previous commitments.8 7. (C) Looking toward London, Moratinos discussed his ideas for a personal approach to agricultural development with the Rural Development Bank and requested a bilateral working group with the Afghans prior to London. The Secretary agreed that it is feasible to work together to tee something up for London and stressed once again her gratitude to President Zapatero for his commitment to Afghanistan. --------------------------------------------- --------- BALKANS ) KOSOVO, PROPOSED MADRID CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA STATE 00129362 002 OF 003 8. (C) The Secretary stressed to Moratinos the importance of continuing the Butmir process. If Bosnians cannot agree by early 2010, it is critical to maintain the Office of the High Representative as the only stabilizing presence, especially through October 2010 elections. She noted U.S. appreciation of Spain,s commitment to keep its troops in EUFOR. Assistant Secretary Gordon underlined the need for the U.S. and Spain to continue the smooth cooperation begun with the Swedes. EUFOR leaving, he noted, would be disconsonant with our message of political engagement. 9. (C) Moratinos reminded the Secretary that his first Foreign Service post was Belgrade and made two mentions of his status as an honorary citizen of the city. During his recent visit, he was pleased to notice for the first time a sense of hope in Belgrade. He floated the idea of a week-long &retreat8 in Madrid for Bosnian leaders, proposed for the beginning of February. Moratinos also committed Spain to working constructively on Kosovo as the EU Presidency. Although he had differences with EU Kosovo representative Pieter Feith, a recent discussion in Madrid had left him convinced they could work together. The Serbs know that Kosovo is independent, and they want to turn the page, Moratinos noted, but they need time to digest that fact and save face. ------------------- GUANTANAMO DETAINEES -------------------- 10. (C) The Secretary was highly appreciative of Zapatero,s commitment for Spain to take five Guantanamo detainees, stressing that it was &a turning point8 among many other European nations. Moratinos, in a resigned, subdued manner, noted that &Zapatero wants to fulfill his promises(his word is his word.8 He requested that Spain be passed additional files to review in order to identify three more candidates acceptable for resettlement in Spain. --------------------------------------------- ---------- LATIN AMERICA ) EU COMMON POSITION ON CUBA AND HONDURAS --------------------------------------------- ---------- 11. (C) The Secretary thanked Moratinos for his sustained efforts on Honduras and suggested staying in close contact. Moratinos was particularly helpful, she noted, on encouraging implementation of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord. Turning to Cuba, the Secretary pressed for continuation of the EU Common Position on Cuba as the most effective way to maintain pressure on the Cuban government on human rights conditions. Moratinos took note of U.S. serious concern but said that Spain believes a bilateral agreement is a more effective way to keep up pressure on human rights. However, he noted this would not be his &main priority8 during Spain,s Presidency. During Moratinos, October trip to Cuba, he said, Raul Castro confessed his desire to establish a &secret channel of communication8 to the White House. Moratinos suggested that President Obama and President Zapatero might discuss details of such a channel at their next meeting. While he understood U.S. domestic political difficulties, Moratinos believed Castro,s comment that U.S. release of the five Cuban spies would enable Cuba to release all/all of its political prisoners. ---------------------- PALOMARES Nuclear Site ---------------------- 12. (C) Moratinos asked the Secretary for &a real response(whatever you can do8 to be helpful in terms of Spanish public opinion, which he feared could turn against the U.S. if news of the results of a recent study of the site,s nuclear contamination were to spread. The Secretary noted that she remembered the accident when it happened but made no commitment. --------------------------------------------- --- ONE-ON-ONE DISCUSSION OF IRAN AND WESTERN SAHARA --------------------------------------------- --- 13. (C) The Secretary and Moratinos had a private one-on-one conversation, during which they discussed Iran, with Moratinos agreeing that we are moving towards increased STATE 00129362 003 OF 003 SUBJECT: (U) SECRETARY CLINTON'S DECEMBER 14, 2009 CONVERSATION WITH SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER MIGUEL ANG sanctions and pressure and that we must continue close cooperation. They also touched on Western Sahara activist Aminadou Haidar, and the Secretary noted that France, the U.S. and Spain all need to work together to convince Algeria to open its borders. They mentioned the possibility of King Juan Carlos calling King Mohammad VI to discuss options for resolving the situation. CLINTON