WEB CHAT WITH AMBASSADOR AGUIRRE

First, I would just like to thank all those who participated in my first web chat. It has been a pleasure having this dialogue with you, and I hope to repeat the experience in the future! Many of the questions submitted dealt with specific visa questions. Unfortunately, I am not the expert on visa matters, so I kindly refer you to the section of our website that should have all the answers -- www.embusa.es/cons/index.html  -- or, if you have additional questions or want to request an appointment please call the following telephone numbers:

• 807 488 472 if you are calling from Spain

• (011) 49 9131 772 2087 if you are calling from the U.S.

• International code +49 91 31 772 2087 if you are calling from any other country

Mo-Fri from 08:30 to 17:30, Spanish time.

Now, on to your questions!

Dear Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre:

I was wondering if you could talk about what your most interesting experience has been or your favorite place you have visited in Spain.

C.G.

Dear C.G.:

As Ambassador to Spain, I interpret “Public Diplomacy” as a mandate to meet and engage as many Spaniards as possible. While Madrid is Spain, Spain is much more than Madrid. I have been to 16 of the 17 Autonomous Communities and have met innumerable political leaders, officials, business people, members of the media, and average Spanish citizens. The whole country is fascinating and captivating. Ronda, so far has enchanted me the most of all the other marvelous cities.

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

I am an immigrant to Spain from Ecuador. Of course, I have found many challenges, but many opportunities as well. Can you comment on your own experience as an immigrant to the United States?

J.S.

Dear J.S.:

My experience as an immigrant to the US can be summed up as follows:

As a political refugee, I was unceremoniously uprooted from my familiar environment in Cuba. I arrived without my parents, finding a new culture, a new language, new food, and new weather climates… desperately learning to cope!

During those early years, I adapted, struggled, survived – and eventually – thrived! With each passing day, I accepted the promise, and concept, known as “the American Dream”. I’m grateful that, for me, that dream turned into reality!

My story boils down to: a common immigrant story, in an uncommon country, with remarkable results.

I brought, in my heart, a burning desire to succeed. I also brought the values that my family and teachers instilled in me: respect for truth and freedom, love of God, compassion, honesty, hard work, and reverence for human life.

Every day I say with reverence: God Bless America!

Mr. Ambassador:

Thank you for making yourself available to answer questions from the public. I notice from your website that you are not only the Ambassador to Spain, but to Andorra as well. Have you been to Andorra? What is your view of that country?

L.M.R.

Dear L.M.R.:

I am particularly honored to represent the United States before what is one of the oldest nations in Europe. And, yes, I have been to Andorra on several occasions. This year I was in Andorra on September 8 to celebrate its national day. I am pleased to say the U.S. and Andorra enjoy excellent relations, and Andorra is becoming more well-known in the United States as a premier skiing and tourism destination.

Moreover, the people of Andorra have shown me their warmth and hospitality. I very much enjoy going there.

Good afternoon Mr. Ambassador:

My question is the following: The current scenario of bilateral relations with Spain is not the best. Do you consider that the two countries are closer or that there are signs of an improvement that will benefit both?

Many thanks,

E.A.V.

Dear E.A.V.:

Actually, relations between the U.S. and Spain are very good and getting better. That progress is due to the specific instructions by President Bush and President Rodríguez Zapatero to their teams. We have decided to go ahead and focus on issues of mutual interest such as the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime. Beyond security issues, we have commercial, military, cultural, agricultural interests, and many more. Relations are good and should improve as time goes by.

Ambassador:

When is there going to be an agreement on labor exchange with Spain similar to the one with Ireland or similar conditions to emigrate?

Thanks,

Localia TV

"LOCALIA TV LOCALIA"

Dear Localia TV:

I don’t know of any special treatment for Ireland. As far as I know, all EU countries are playing off the same page. Both Ireland and Spain have treaties of friendship commerce and navigation which allow issuance of "E", treaty trader/treaty investor visas, as do many other countries. However, certain countries with Free Trade Agreements with the United States, such as Canada, Mexico, Chile, Australia, have special visa provisions negotiated into the agreements which allow additional work visas above the numbers granted to non Free Trade Agreement countries. Ireland is not one of those countries.

Mr. Ambassador Aguirre,

I am a US Soldier who just happened to be surfing the net on embassy matters and decided to visit your webpage. I am currently working for US Army NATO. This is my first time directing myself to an Ambassador -- thank you for this privilege. I will soon be applying to work with the Defense Attaché Agency and look forward to work in Spain or Portugal as I speak Spanish and comprehend Portuguese. Again, thank you for this opportunity and hope that I can meet you sometime.

Respectfully,

J.A.

Dear J.A.:

Thank you for your email! I very much look forward to meeting you in person should a position here in Spain work out. Keep up the good work at NATO. Thanks for serving in our Armed Forces.

Dear Ambassador Aguirre:

I am a working adult college student taking an International Law class. I have an assignment due on Spain, specifically the current economy and place in the world picture. Is there anything I should point out that is currently of importance in Spain but unknown to the rest of the world and more specifically to Americans?

Thank you for your kind attention and thank you for your service in Spain. I read your bio in the website and I am very proud of you as an American and a fellow Hispanic.

C.L.

Dear C.L.:

Thanks for your question. There is much that I could say, but let me limit my response to the bilateral economic relationship between the U.S. and Spain, which, I am happy to say, is very strong. Look at the numbers. The relationship is strong and it gets stronger all the time. And both our countries benefit because of that strong relationship. Look at the contracts Spanish companies are winning in the United States. They are involved in the largest infrastructure project in my country – Texas’ transportation corridor initiative. They are also active in infrastructure, banking, energy, steel, and innumerable other sectors.

And there is a healthy U.S. presence in Spain as well, providing quality jobs, services and products for the Spanish public. U.S. direct investment in Spain, 2.461 billion euros approximately, represented more than 17% of total foreign investment in 2005. We view Spain’s economy as a strong economy that offers many attractive investment and trade opportunities. Spain is one of our most valued trading partners

The United States' imports from Spain are primarily in the areas of pharmaceutical products, mineral fuel and oil, and machinery. Spanish investment in the U.S. is growing. More than 200 Spanish companies now have subsidiaries in the United States, particularly in construction and banking.

By the way, our Embassy Web site can provide you with additional information. I hope this helps with your project!

Mr. Ambassador Aguirre:

I am pleased to greet you and congratulate you on the initiative to allow us to send our questions. My question is the following.

I am a Peruvian living in Madrid because I am studying a master’s degree. Is it necessary for me to go back to my country of origin to apply for the visa?

Many thanks,

R.E.R.

Dear R.E.R.:

Thanks for your question. I imagine that there are many people in Spain with similar questions… If you are a legal resident of Madrid then here is where you should apply for a visa, if not please refer to the information on our website (www.embusa.es/cons/index.html). I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck with your studies!

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

Having grown up in New Orleans, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina must have deeply troubled you. What was your reaction and how do you think the U.S. will be prepared for future disasters?

S.L.

Dear S.L.:

This was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and of course, the levels of devastation were shocking to all of us, particularly those of us with ties to New Orleans. However, I was also uplifted by the countless acts of courage -- we saw the best of America in the response to hurricane Katrina. The Coast Guard and National Guard stepped up to bring relief, and everywhere we saw acts of selflessness. More than 100,000 volunteered through the Citizen Corps Network, a Department of Homeland Security-administrated initiative. Countless others volunteered their assistance as well. My hometown of Houston welcomed over 2,000 New Orleans’ school children into our public schools.

In the future, should we face another natural disaster of this magnitude, our government will be better prepared. At the direction of President Bush, every department of the Administration looked at its response and recommended practical reforms. These reforms are being implemented, from increasing training and manpower to FEMA, to strengthening partnerships with the Red Cross and the Department of Defense, improving communications among State, local, and Federal emergency teams, and expanding supplies. God forbid we have to face a similar catastrophe in the future, but if we do, I know we will be better prepared.

I want to also take this opportunity to re-iterate my thanks to the Governments of Spain and Andorra for their support. The Spanish people sent two Hercules planes from Torrejón air base with over 16 tons of relief supplies. Also, I was deeply moved by the outpouring of condolences and offers of support from the Spanish people – Spain and Andorra were truly there for us in our time of need.

Dear Ambassador Aguirre:

There was a lot of press coverage of the NATO meeting in Seville last week. What was your opinion of the meetings? Do you think Spain is doing a good job in Afghanistan?

J.B.

Dear J.B.:

Spain is doing important work in Afghanistan, particularly in reconstruction work in western Afghanistan. Spanish forces there number almost 700 strong, and the Spanish Government announced last week in Seville that they will equip and train two Afghan battalions. This is excellent news. We also agree with the NATO Secretary General’s calls for more funding and troop commitments in order to finally defeat the Taliban. A victory for NATO and the West in Afghanistan is well within our reach, but it will require the continued support of all the allies.

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

In your opinion, what is going to happen next in Cuba? I know you were born in Cuba, and you must have strong views on the subject, as many Cuban exiles in the U.S. do.

M.C.

Dear M.C.:

Of course, I have a special interest in what happens in Cuba. Along with my family, I was one of the many who fled the communist dictatorship and looked for freedom and democracy in the United States. As Ambassador of the U.S., I represent a country that has a a strong interest in the future of a free, democratic and prosperous Cuba. And, like many other people in the world, I have hopes that the future will be better for Cuba. Cuba should be for the Cubans and they should live in liberty and democracy.

The U.S does not want to witness a mere succession in power, the continuation of a dictatorship that has already lasted almost half a century. We look forward to seeing a rapid and real transition to democracy. I do not know what the future holds in store with regard to President Castro’s medical condition. I do not know when his dictatorship is going to end. But I do know that, when that time comes, the government of the U.S. will be ready, if a Cuban transition government asks us to do so, to support a real transition towards a democratic future.

Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre:

Thank you for conducting this web chat. I think it is a great opportunity to have an exchange of views between our two countries. My question is: do you think the U.S. has any chance of averting what seems to be looking more and more like a catastrophe in Iraq?

P.A.

Dear P.A.:

President Bush’s new strategy includes, increased resources, energetic diplomacy, and an invigorated security stance. Will this bring success in Iraq? No one can guarantee that. But the consequences of failure would be terrible not just for Iraqis, not just for the Middle East, but for the safety of the many targeted by terrorists around the world. The President’s new strategy includes new military, diplomatic, economic and political elements. But, in the end, only the Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people. Our role is to support their efforts.

Both Iraq’s democratically elected government and the United Nations have called on the international community for help: financial assistance for reconstruction and development; security assistance, meaning both military training and troops; political support. The U.S. is working with the Iraqi government in all these areas. I hope all those countries who share the same goals can find effective ways to work together to make them a reality.

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