US embassy cable - 05MADRID3527

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 003527 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EUR/WE FOR ALLEGRONE, CLEMENTS, AND HALL 
WHA/CCA FOR MCFARLAND 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/6/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, CU, SP 
SUBJECT: SPAIN/CUBA: SPAIN WILL HOST SEPARATE NATIONAL DAY 
EVENTS FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, DISSIDENTS 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Kathy Fitzpatrick; reason 1.4 (B). 
 
1. (C) Following October 5 Parliamentary testimony by FM 
Miguel Angel Moratinos in which he declined to discuss 
whether Spain will invite Cuban opposition figures to its 
national day event in Havana on October 12, poloff contacted 
MFA Cuba Desk Officer Carmen Diez to discuss Spain's plans on 
this issue.  Diez confirmed press speculation that Spain 
would follow the "French model" of inviting Cuban government 
officials to the official event on October 12 and hosting 
dissidents on a separate date.  Specifically, Spanish 
Ambassador Saldivar has invited opposition activists to his 
residence for an October 7 gathering, which Diez described as 
"one of many" recent meetings between Saldivar and key 
dissidents. She had no information regarding which opposition 
figures had agreed to attend the separate event. 
 
//CASTRO-CHAVEZ RALLY?// 
 
2. (C) Spanish media are closely tracking this issue, with 
left-leaning "El Pais" describing the French/Spanish solution 
as one that has failed to please either the Cuban government 
or the opposition.  During his Parliamentary appearance, 
Moratinos dismissed demands by the opposition Popular Party 
that Ambassador Saldivar be recalled from Havana for failing 
to support the democratic opposition.  The domestic political 
debate over Cuba will likely heat up dramatically next week 
if Fidel Castro attends the October 13-14 Ibero American 
Summit in Salamanca.  We understand from several sources that 
left wing organizations and Cuba solidarity groups, and 
pro-Hugo Chavez "Bolivarian" groups are planning a mass rally 
in Salamanca on October 15, which they claim will be attended 
by both Chavez and Castro. 
AGUIRRE