INTERVIEW OF AMBASSADOR AGUIRRE BY RADIO NACIONAL DE ESPAÑA, "España a las ocho"

June 4, 2007

Q: Since Secretary Rice’s visit, can you say that political relations between the U.S. and Spain have “normalized?”

A: I think so. To be more exact, the Secretary was received in Madrid by His Majesty the King and the leadership of the Spanish Government. Each meeting was productive, substantive, frank and even meticulous, and I think they reflected, and I was in each meeting, more than just normal relations. I would say excellent.

Q: Is Cuba now the issue that most separates Spanish and American diplomacy?

A: I would say it is the only point in which there was any discrepancy. But let’s put it in perspective. We talked about terrorism, narcotrafficking, military cooperation, Afghanistan, Middle East, interest in the future of Iraq, North Africa, cultural affairs, Latin America in general, Cuba and Venezuela and trade and investment in both countries. Of this entire list, Cuba was the only point on which there was a discrepancy. It seems strange that this should be the headline.

Q: Without a doubt, Ambassador, for the U.S. because of its proximity and for Spain because of its history, Cuba is an issue that is extraordinarily sensitive. If the objective of each country is to secure a democratic future for the island, what is the difference between the strategies?

A: I think you have hit the nail on the head. Both countries agreed that we yearn to see human rights and democracy in Cuba. However, the only discrepancy is in our strategies on how to get there. Secretary Rice, speaking frankly, was clear about her point of view. First, she said that we see no reason for optimism that the regime of the Cuban dictatorship, which has been in power for half a century, is going to begin to take steps towards democracy. This is our position, and we are worried that after Fidel Castro there will be a succession from an authoritarian regime with the last name Castro to another regime and another dictatorial period with the same last name Castro. Talking about Cuban dissidents, this is an area in which I think we agree, on the fact that they need to be encouraged. But there is a difference of opinion in whether or not the Minister should have met with them on his visit. The Minister explained that he speaks frequently with the dissidents although he did not on this particular visit.

Q: As the Minister said, the strategies could be complementary, rather than contradictory. Do you believe that a U.S. – Spain coordination mechanism could be established oriented towards common action for the democratization of Cuba?

A: I think so. The key is the complementarity and cooperation that both countries showed during their conversations with respect to Cuba and all the other issues that I mentioned at the beginning of the interview. In the case of Cuba in particular, we will continue our conversation and coordination to see how we can learn from each other about what is happening in the country and what could happen.

Q: Regarding Venezuela. Are relations between the countries back in harmony?

A: I think so. Regarding the case of Venezuela, we agreed that we are concerned about the recent infringements on freedom of expression there. There was no difference of opinion on that matter. And both the Secretary and Minister Moratinos condemned the closure of RCTV in their press conference. This shows that there is no discrepancy in the case of Venezuela.

Q: On Iraq. And all that separated the U.S. and Spain after Spain’s withdrawal. Relations are warming up?

A: On Iraq, they did not talk about the past, but rather the present and the future and that both countries are hoping and yearning to see an Iraq that is in charge of its own security. And the Secretary thanked Spain for its financial collaboration in Iraq, and in particular mentioned the important assistance that Spain is providing for the construction of a new children’s hospital in Basra. And we thanked and applauded both countries for their cooperation on this project.

Q: You mentioned the cooperation on the fight against terrorism and narcotrafficking. Did they agree on any further agreements in this cooperation?

A: What we both highlighted was how our cooperation on national security, in particular the fight against terrorism and narcotrafficking, has been productive. In the case of the fight against terrorism, we promised to continue working together and, in fact, I think that we could not be working together better than we are today. And we also committed to continue working together in the area of narcotrafficking because in recent years we have seen that there has been a great deal of narcotrafficking going on in Europe via Spain and therefore both countries are focusing their efforts against narcotrafficking on the coasts of Spain.

Q: In the U.S. there are elections in 2008, and Bush goes into the final stretch of his mandate. Next March there are also elections in Spain. Between now and then do you think there is a chance of a meeting between Bush and Zapatero? Or has this already been ruled out?

A: You are mixing apples and oranges. The elections of both countries are part of the every day life of democratic countries and each election will have its own dynamic. The meeting between the presidents has really nothing to do with the elections. I have said since I arrived here, almost two years ago, that the importance of our relations was not based on whether or not two people met but rather in that we have substantive conversations, business and dealings. The Secretary’s visit highlights the fact that we have the ability to work together on important issues without worrying about whether one President sees another or not.

 

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