US embassy cable - 04MADRID2579

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 002579 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MOPS, SP, NATO 
SUBJECT: SPANISH PARLIAMENT OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES 
AFGHANISTAN TROOP INCREASE 
 
REF: MADRID 2529 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires J. Robert Manzanares, 
reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  The Spanish Parliament overwhelmingly 
approved July 6 President Zapatero's proposal to increase 
substantially Spain's troop presence in Afghanistan.  The 
vote was 302 in favor, 10 against and 1 abstention.  Only the 
former communist United Left party and several obscure 
parties opposed the increase.  Zapatero told parliament Spain 
should commit the troops to continue its role in the "fight 
against terrorism" and because, unlike the Iraq war, ISAF was 
"legally" sanctioned by the UN, and NATO firmly supported the 
force.  Parliament approved an increase of  Spain's 
Afghanistan presence to a total of between 940 and 1,040 
troops.  Included in the 940-1,040 figure is a battalion of 
400-500 troops to provide security for elections.  The 540 
additional troops will be distributed among Spain's 115-troop 
contingent in Eurocorps and support and security elements for 
4 helicopters, 2 C-130s and a field hospital (reftel).  While 
the contribution may be comparatively small, the Zapatero 
government believes it is significant and wants the U.S. to 
perceive it as a major step.  End summary. 
 
2.  (SBU) Zapatero launched the debate explaining at length 
his justification for deployment.  Drawing a contrast with 
his perception of the Iraq war and subsequent security 
operations there, Zapatero said an increase in Spain's 
presence in Afghanistan was consistent with PSOE's support of 
the Aznar government's decision to send troops there in the 
first place, and was legal under international law.  Zapatero 
repeated multiple times during his speech that his proposed 
troop increased was consistent with international law and the 
various UN resolutions on Afghanistan. 
 
3.  (SBU) Popular Party opposition leader Mariano Rajoy 
replied first that Zapatero had broken a campaign promise to 
consult parliament before deciding to send troops abroad. 
This decision, said Rajoy, was already made before Zapatero 
brought his proposal to parliament.  But Rajoy was most 
emphatic when he said the PP supported the troop increase and 
criticized Zapatero for appearing "ashamed" to deploy the 
troops.  "If you were in my position," said Rajoy, "you would 
oppose sending the troops and your party would take to the 
streets immediately to denounce the decision."  Instead of 
appearing ill at east with his own decision, Zapatero should 
tell the Spanish people he is "proud that Spain will 
participate in a mission like Afghanistan, fighting terror 
and standing close with Spain's allies."  Spain should "feel 
good about itself" when it fulfills its international 
responsibilities," asserted Rajoy. 
 
4.  (SBU) After more than four hours of debate, the 
parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the deployment. 
Only the former communist United Left party and a couple of 
regional fringe parties voted against.  The final count:  In 
favor of the deployment, 302; against 10; abstain, 1. 
 
5.  (C) The Zapatero proposal that parliament endorsed 
includes increasing Spain's Afghanistan presence to a total 
of between 940 and 1,040 troops.  Included in the 940-1,040 
figure is a battalion of 400-500 troops to provide security 
for elections.  The 540 additional troops will be distributed 
among Spain's 115-troop contingent in Eurocorps and support 
and security elements for 4 helicopters, 2 C-130s and a field 
hospital (reftel). 
 
6.  (SBU) Parliament also voted to send a peacekeeping 
contingent of civil guard members to Haiti by a similar 
margin.  While Zapatero did not name a number, government 
sources say approximately 100 Civil Guard will be sent. 
 
7.  (C) Comment:  Zapatero's proposal to send substantially 
more troops to Afghanistan and parliament's overwhelming 
approval of the plan is the first sign since the Socialists' 
March 14 electoral victory that Spain will remain 
significantly engaged in the fight against international 
terrorism ) albeit only in circumstances that can be 
construed as humanitarian and, in Spain's judgment, fully 
authorized by the UN.  The Socialists have told us repeatedly 
since they came to power they wish to maintain excellent 
relations with the United States and to remain a faithful 
ally.  We have been strongly urging the GOS to make this 
statement concrete by increasing Spain,s participation in 
Afghanistan.  Spain's Afghanistan contribution, while it 
could have been greater, is larger than expected.  The GOS 
believes it is significant and hopes that it will augur well 
for Spain-U.S. relations.  It is only one step in the right 
direction, but an important one. 
MANZANARES