VZCZCXRO2796
RR RUEHLA
DE RUEHMD #1207 3221409
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171409Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5582
INFO RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3655
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS MADRID 001207
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/WE, ALSO FOR EUR/RPM AND NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL SP
SUBJECT: INVITATION FROM SPANISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE TO
PARTICIPATE IN SEMINAR ON SECURITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN,
BARCELONA, DECEMBER 1-2, 2008
1. (U) The Ambassador received November 13 the following
letter (translated in relevant part) from Manuel Lopez
Blazquez, Spanish MOD Director General of Institutional
Relations.
Begin text:
The Ministry of Defense of Spain and the CIDOB Foundation of
Barcelona (Center of Investigation of International Relations
and Development), sponsor annually an international seminar
concerning security and defense in the Mediterranean. The
meeting constitutes a forum for the exchange of ideas in
relation to Mediterranean security. Moreover, it is a point
of encounter that encourages mutual understanding and
relations between the coastal countries of the Mediterranean,
those of the European Union, those of NATO, and those others
interested in this question because of their geographic
proximity.
The seventh edition of the seminar will be celebrated in
Barcelona December 1-2. In this meeting, we intend to review
the initiatives of cooperation underway and contemplate
possible future perspectives in areas such as the ESPD in the
Mediterranean, scenarios of security (or insecurity) in the
Mediterranean, fundamental freedoms and security in the
Mediterranean, civil-military cooperation in humanitarian
missions, and the reform of the security sector. A
provisional agenda is attached.
Minister (of Defense) Carme Chacon has directed a letter to
her counterparts in the countries previously mentioned
inviting them to designate a representative of their
department to participate in the seminar. In this regard, I
ask that the Embassy make a direct effort to encourage the
present of representatives of your country who have
responsibilities or interests in the subjects that will be
dealt with in this seminar.
Additionally, it would be a great satisfaction to count on
your presence in the seminar or, if you consider it
convenient, that of Embassy personnel whom you consider
opportune.
End text.
2. (U) Please advise if there is interest from Washington (or
elsewhere) in sending a representative to this seminar. We
will send a copy of the draft agenda to EUR/WE.
AGUIRRE