US embassy cable - 04MADRID1040

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Identifier:	04MADRID1040
Wikileaks:	View 04MADRID1040 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Madrid
Created:	2004-03-29 05:09:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	EAID PREL PGOV AF SP NATO
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001040 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2014 
TAGS: EAID, PREL, PGOV, AF, SP, NATO 
SUBJECT: SPAIN:AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE RESPONSE 
 
REF: STATE 47946 
 
Classified By: Economic Counselor Judy Garber: Reasons 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
1. (C) MFA Deputy Director General for Continental Asia 
Alejandro E. Albargonzalez San Martin told us March 25 that 
Spain's delegation will not be making new commitments to 
Afghanistan at the Berlin Conference.  He noted that while 
Spain will carry out its previous pledge of $113 million 
through 2005, the transition between the departing Popular 
Party and the newly elected Socialists means that the GOS is 
not currently in a position to make new pledges of assistance. 
 
2. (C) We raised the comments of Socialist Foreign 
Minister-designate Miguel Angel Moratinos, who stated in the 
Spanish press that the new government would increase Spanish 
support for Afghanistan.  Press reports also suggest that 
Socialist President-elect Zapatero made a similar statement 
in his meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell on March 
24.  Albargonzalez was aware of the pronouncements, but told 
us that no new aid policies for Afghanistan have been 
announced. 
 
3. (U) We will update on Spain's assistance to Afghanistan as 
the Socialist government transitions to power. 
 
4. (U) Minimize considered. 
ARGYROS