VZCZCXRO5114
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #0204 0531821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221821Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4328
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3326
UNCLAS MADRID 000204
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN WILL CONTRIBUTE 2 ARMORED VEHICLES TO MFO
1. According to Spanish MFA Deputy Director General for
the Middle East Alberto Ucelay, Spain has initiated the
paperwork to transfer two armored vehicles to the MFO. He
could not provide a delivery timetable, but said that, "the
contribution reflected Spain's concern for regional stability
and recognized the MFO's important work." Choosing his words
carefully, Ucelay noted, " this donation will complete
Spain's 2007 announcement of additional support to the MFO."
Although Embassy had been pressing for Spain to contribute a
larger number of FAVs, Ucelay implied that Spain could not
consider any additional funding or material transfers at this
time.
2. The announcement follows persistant advocacy by Embassy
during the last six months during meetings with Deputy FM
Leon, MFA Political Advisor Dezcallar and MFA Middle East
Director General Iranzo. Embassy will continue its efforts
to seek increased scope of Spanish contributions to the MFO
in the year ahead.
AGUIRRE