US embassy cable - 04MADRID1074

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 001074 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MOPS, PTER, SP, American - Spanish Relations 
SUBJECT: SPAIN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH DEFENSE 
MINISTER-DESIGNATE JOSE BONO 
 
REF: MADRID 1052 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick, 
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Ambassador met March 30 with Socialist 
defense minister-designate Jose Bono.  The meeting was very 
pleasant and friendly, and Bono pledged to do his part to 
continue the fine relations the U.S. and Spain have developed 
over the years.  He characterized himself as a "moderate 
socialist" and said he was a friend of the United States. 
Bono will be in the U.S. April 2-6 and requested a meeting 
with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to discuss Iraq.  End 
summary. 
 
--------------------------- 
Friend of the United States 
--------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Ambassador met with Bono in Toledo, the capital of 
the Castilla-La Mancha region, where Bono has been the very 
popular president for over 20 years.  (See reftel for bio on 
Bono).  Defense Attache and Pol-miloff joined Ambassador -- 
Bono was not joined by any staff in the meeting.  Bono 
started off by saying he was a "moderate socialist" who 
considers Spain to be a close friend and ally of the U.S.  He 
was anxious to reinforce the great relationship the two 
countries have, and predicted he along with the rest of the 
Zapatero administration would be in office by April 19.  Bono 
commented that he was a friend of the U.S. and added, 
chuckling, that he is one of the few Spanish politicians who 
can say he has never taken a position counter to the U.S.  He 
recalled that he has twice traveled to the U.S. at USG 
invitation on visitor programs and had excellent experiences 
both times.  Ambassador assured Bono the U.S. was also 
looking forward to continuing the fine relations the U.S. and 
Spain have developed. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
Relationship Based on Trust and Friendship 
------------------------------------------ 
 
3.  (C) Bono said as far as he is concerned, Spain's 
relations with the U.S. are based on two firm pillars -- 
confidence and friendship.  That's how he views the 
relationship and he plans to continue the relationship that 
way.  He noted that in the early 80s when Spain and the U.S. 
were reviewing the status of the bases in Spain, many on the 
U.S. side were worried the Socialists would be very hard to 
work with.  On the contrary, both sides worked together very 
well and reached an excellent agreement for both parties.  He 
said he was sure the U.S. and Spain would continue to work 
well together on all issues. 
 
4.  (C) On the other hand, Bono said it was not good for 
Spain to feel as though it is in a position of submission to 
anyone, as that hurts national pride.  "A very proud country 
like the U.S. could certainly understand that," he added. 
But he was confident the U.S. and Spain would continue the 
excellent relationship they have had for years, and Bono 
looked forward to working with us to that end. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
Requests Meeting with Sec. Rumsfeld on Iraq 
------------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) On Iraq, Bono said he would very much like to speak 
directly to Secretary Rumsfeld.  Bono will be in New York 
City April 2-6 and wondered if it might be possible to 
arrange a meeting in that time frame -- Bono would be willing 
to travel to D.C. to meet with Secretary Rumsfeld.  If a 
personal meeting is not possible, Bono is very interested in 
talking Rumsfeld by phone as soon as possible.  He would like 
to do so before he meets with the Polish defense minister 
April 8 and the British defense minister April 12. 
Pol-miloff asked Bono if he might give us a preview of what 
he planned to tell Rumsfeld about Iraq.  Bono replied that 
unfortunately he was limited in what he could say at this 
point and Zapatero had specifically asked him only to speak 
to Rumsfeld about the issue, so he wasn't able to elaborate 
at this time, though he wished he could. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
6.  (C) Jose Bono is one of the stars of Jose Luis Rodriguez 
Zapatero's emerging cabinet.  Long a very popular luminary of 
the Socialist Party, Bono is very polished and, as he said, 
has rarely criticized the United States openly.  Bono will 
likely do what he can to keep Spain/U.S. military relations 
on track, but it remains to be seen how much latitude 
Zapatero will give him.  Given that Bono is a Socialist Party 
heavyweight, Zapatero may give him more leeway than he gives 
other members of his administration.  We recommend that if 
Bono comes to Washington to meet with Secretary Rumsfeld, the 
Department also seek to arrange a meeting between Bono and 
Deputy Secretary Armitage. 
 
ARGYROS