

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08MADRID1092, AMBASSADOR HITS RIGHT NOTES WITH NEW SPANISH
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08MADRID1092.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08MADRID1092 | 2008-10-14 16:04 | 2010-12-08 12:12 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Madrid |
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMD #1092/01 2881620
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 141620Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5444
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
INFO RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFISS/COMUSNAVEUR NAPLES IT
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001092
SIPDIS
OSD COL PATRICK A. MCCLELLAND
JCS FOR LTC THERESE PAWLOWSKI
STATE FOR ELAINE SAMSON AND STACIE ZERDECKI, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR SP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HITS RIGHT NOTES WITH NEW SPANISH
MILITARY LEADERSHIP
REF: A. MADRID 790
¶B. MADRID 1021
¶C. DAO MADRID IIR 6 889 0272 08
¶D. DAO MADRID IIR 6 889 0273 08
¶E. DAO MADRID IIR 6 889 0274 08
Classified By: DCM Arnold A. Chacon, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador Aguirre ensured that Spain's
outgoing Chief of Defense and the Chiefs of the Spanish Army,
Navy and Air Force Staff were properly celebrated September
¶25. Hosting a cocktail reception for more than 90 attendees,
complete with a color guard and a 6-piece military jazz band,
the Ambassador recognized the exemplary careers of the
retiring military leadership and honored the new "cupola."
During a round of courtesy calls begun September 15 with the
new CHOD, Ambassador Aguirre was able to meet the new
leadership one-on-one, reinforcing the excellent
military-to-military relationship and engaging the new chiefs
on key USG interests. The calls also served to introduce his
new Deputy Chief of Mission and to explain the U.S. election
timetable that could result in an extended period as Charge
d'Affaires.
//VALEDICTORY "RAZZMATAZZ"//
¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador hosted the reception in honor of
General Felix Sanz Roldan, the recently departed CHOD who has
assumed a new role as special envoy for EU defense matters,
and the recently departed Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force
and Army and the former CNO. The CHOD and all the service
chiefs were relieved on July 21 (ref A). Naval Station Rota
provided a Joint Color Guard and the Sixth Fleet Band
provided a six-piece Jazz Ensemble. The event, unusual by
Spanish military standards that do not allow for "change of
command" ceremonies, per se, was a huge success with the
honorees and their wives in attendance as well as the current
CHOD, and the new Air Force Chief of Staff and Chief of Naval
Operations. Ambassador Aguirre addressed each of the
outgoing officers and presented flags that had flown over the
U.S. Embassy to retiring CNO Admiral Zaragoza, former Air
Force Chief of Staff General Garcia de la Vega, and outgoing
Spanish Army Chief of Staff General Villar. To General Sanz,
the Ambassador presented a framed edition of the "Don't Tread
on Me" flag flown over U.S. Navy ships since September 11,
and explained its historical symbolism dating back to the
Revolutionary War. Sanz spoke extemporaneously following the
Ambassador's remarks, recalling how his close association
with U.S. forces from the earliest days of his military
career had been instrumental to his professional success and
his enduring goodwill toward the United States.
¶3. (C) In the lead-up to the unprecedented hail and farewell
party, Ambassador Aguirre sought courtesy calls with the
entire new cupola. He congratulated each officer on his new
position, reviewed key programs in the jurisdiction of each
of the services, and reviewed the robust exchange
relationships between U.S. and Spanish military academies and
staff colleges.
//CHIEF OF DEFENSE GENERAL RODRIGUEZ//
¶4. (C) Spanish Air Force Lieutenant General Jose Julio
Rodriguez Fernandez was named Chief of Defense (JEMAD) of the
Spanish Armed Forces on July 18 and replaced General Sanz on
July 21 (ref A). General Rodriguez is a fighter-attack pilot
by background. With 42 years of military service, he most
recently served as the Director General for Armament and
Materiel in the Ministry of Defense (the senior uniformed
acquisition official). During the Ambassador's September 15
courtesy call, Rodriguez was pleasant and low-key and
conveyed obvious admiration and good feeling toward his
predecessor. The Ambassador congratulated Rodriguez on his
promotion and invited him to take part in the planned
reception. Rodriguez, who was originally not scheduled to be
in town September 25, told the Ambassador that "things could
change" and, in fact, attended.
¶5. (C) The CHOD briefed the Ambassador on the meeting of NATO
CHODS he had attended in Bulgaria the weekend of September
13, especially the considerable time spent discussing
Georgia. Rodriguez also made reference to turning the page
in Afghanistan, expressing the idea that the U.S. election
presented opportunities for the Zapatero Administration to
modify some of its foreign policy positions. The Ambassador
and the CHOD agreed there was no baggage between the United
States and Spain on Afghanistan. The Ambassador also
referenced shared Spanish and U.S. interests in the context
of the U.S. Africa Command. The Ambassador sought the CHOD's
views on the likelihood Spain would sign a Letter of
Agreement by October 31 to purchase Tomahawk missiles.
Rodriguez indicated the action was with the MOD and noted the
draft 2009 budget -- with not more than a 5 per cent increase
expected over last year -- was not out yet. Rodriguez
indicated that the Navy, in accordance with Spanish
procedure, must present its case for this requirement to the
Ministry of Defense. The Ambassador asked him to let us know
if there was a problem. Turning to other potential
acquisitions, the Ambassador told Rodriguez that the United
States hoped that the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) could be the
solution to Spain's long-term requirement for modern tactical
aircraft replacements for its Air Force and Navy. Again
citing Spain's process for filling these kinds of
requirements, Rodriguez allowed that, for the fighter
requirement, the process was just beginning. Finally, GEN
Rodriguez agreed to host Admiral Fitzgerald for Spain's
National Day observance the weekend of October 11, including
securing an invitation to the King's reception.
//CHIEF OF SPANISH NAVY STAFF ADMIRAL REBOLLO//
¶6. (C) In office calls on September 18, the Ambassador
reinforced the same points with the new Chief of Naval
Operations and the Army's Chief of Staff. Admiral Rebollo,
who assumed his duties July 21, was warm and engaging. He
had been former CNO Admiral Zaragoza's Vice Chief of Naval
Operations and is expected to continue to support Zaragoza's
naval initiatives. He has the distinction of having started
his military career as an enlisted man. Rebollo also said
the Tomahawk decision was now going to the MOD, and he was
hopeful but not certain the MOD would approve the purchase.
Concerning piracy, the Admiral observed Spain's deployment of
a P-3 maritime patrol aircraft was more of a political show
than a substantive military action. The Ambassador asked
that Spain consider hosting the headquarters portion of
forthcoming AFRICOM and SOCEUR Flintlock exercise (originally
intended for Mauritania), and Admiral Rebollo agreed to
consider it. (NOTE: On October 9 we received formal
agreement from Spain to host this important exercise at Rota.
End note.)
//CHIEF OF SPANISH ARMY STAFF GENERAL COLL//
¶7. (C) Also on September 18, the Ambassador thanked General
Fulgencio Coll for Spain's contributions to overseas
deployments in Lebanon, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Afghanistan and
sought Coll's views on the possibility of lifting the cap of
3,000 on Spanish overseas deployments. General Coll was very
warm and engaging and seemed pleased the Ambassador was
making the call. Prior to his July 18 appointment (ref A),
Coll had carried out two of this Socialist Government's most
significant military decisions ) the withdrawal from Iraq in
2004 and the establishment of the Emergency Military Unit
(UME, or Unidad Militar de Emergencia) in 2006. GEN Coll was
born in Palma de Mallorca and comes from a distinguished
Balearic military and political family. His father,
Fulgencio Coll de San Simon, was also a general in the
Spanish Army and former President of Provincial Deputation,
as well as Civil Governor of Bilbao in the 1970s. GEN Coll
entered the Spanish military academy in 1966 and graduated as
an infantry branch lieutenant in 1970. Unlike other Spanish
general officers, he has spent long periods of time in troop
units and especially in command positions as a senior
officer.
//CHIEF OF SPANISH AIR FORCE STAFF GENERAL JIMENEZ//
¶8. (C) The new head of the Spanish Air Force, General Jose
Jimenez Ruiz, also warmly received Ambassador Aguirre on
September 25, just hours before the reception in his honor.
During the 30-minute call, followed by a tour of Air Force
headquarters, General Jimenez spoke openly about his family.
The Ambassador reiterated to Jimenez his thanks for Spain's
contributions to overseas deployments. Until May 2008,
Jimenez had served as the commander of the Spanish Air Forces
in the Canary Islands (ref A). He was a surprise pick for
the top Air Force job, advancing from being a soon-to-retire
2-star general to a four-star Chief virtually overnight.
According to DAO sources, he was considering retirement from
the Canaries in May, when he was told by someone in the
Ministry of Defense not to submit his paperwork. Within the
month, he had received a promotion to Lieutenant General, a
fact unknown to then-Air Force Chief of Staff, General Garcia
de la Vega. When the Minister of Defense replaced the Chief
of Defense and all three service chiefs in July, General
Jimenez was given a fourth star and named Air Force Chief of
Staff.
//Comment//
¶9. (C) We enjoyed a very close relationship with the previous
CHOD and service chiefs. The initial encounters with their
replacements suggest that excellent working relationship is
going to continue. The Spanish military is highly
disciplined to its civilian leadership, but it is worth
remembering that whatever our differences with Spanish
politicians, the armed forces are always well-disposed to
work with the U.S., both bilaterally and the context of NATO.
The agreement to host the Flintlock exercise, obtained on
very short notice when events in Mauritania made that venue
inadvisable, is important in and of itself, but it is also a
symbol of how healthy the military-to-military relationship
is.
AGUIRRE