Cablegate: Security Environmental Profile Questionnaire

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000517

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/EUR
BARCELONA FOR CONSUL GENERAL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER
SUBJECT: SECURITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE
RESPONSE (SEPQ) - SPAIN

REF: STATE 28688

1. (U) As directed in REFTEL, the following responses
constitute the SEPQ for Mission Spain. The responses
will directly correlate in sequence with the questions
asked. All questions and responses have been coordinated
with the appropriate Emergency Action Committee (EAC).

2. (SBU) POLITICAL VIOLENCE:

DEMONSTRATIONS:

A. There is a significant Islamic presence in Spain that
could feasibly mount demonstrations. Others of mixed
ethnic and religious backgrounds recently protested
against American policy in Iraq.

B. Yes.

C. Yes

D. The recent anti-American demonstrations have related
directly to the "no-war-in-Iraq" movement, with specific
implications attached to the death of a Spanish
journalist in Iraq. The past year's demonstrations have
ranged from 50 to 500 persons in front of the Embassy and
the Consulate General in Barcelona, to 2 million persons
in a coordinated nation-wide demonstration.

E. Normally triggered by opposition to U.S. Policy on the
war in Iraq and some relating to the death of a Spanish
journalist in Iraq.

F. Generally peaceful, but on occasion during the Iraq
incursion, some minor violence was witnessed.

G. The only symptoms of violence were from the throwing
of paint and fruit at the Embassy, Consulate General, and
various Consular Agencies.

H. During one demonstration in Barcelona, one person
cleared the perimeter wall and entered the grounds of the
Consulate General before being chased off.

I. Yes.

J. Yes, near and in-front of Mission facilities in-
country.

K. The anti-GOS demonstrations were typically held in
conjunction with the anti-American demonstrations and the
response as to numbers of demonstrators is the same as in
(D).

L. Generally peaceful, but on occasion, some minor
violence has been witnessed.

M. N/A

3. (SBU) MACRO CONFLICT CONDITIONS:

A. Yes, the intrastate conflict with the terrorist group
ETA.

B. ETA acts of terrorism have been carried out in all
areas of the country including Madrid and Barcelona.

C. N/A

D. No.

4. (SBU) HOST COUNTRY CAPABILITIES:

A. Yes.

B. Yes, and the training they have received from DSS/ATA,
DHS/ICE and the FBI has been incorporated into practical
use and used against ETA terrorism.

C. No.

D. Yes.

E. Yes.

F. Yes, for example in recent captures of Al-Qaida cells
and against ETA and recent GRAPO operations.
G. Yes.

H. Very good with respect to flights to the U.S.

I. Average.
J. Average. As a Schengen country, the borders are
porous with difficult enforceable controls.

5. (SBU) INDIGENOUS TERRORISM:

ANTI-AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUPS:

A. No.
B. N/A
C. N/A

D. N/A

E. N/A

F. N/A

G. N/A

H. N/A

6. (SBU) OTHER INDIGENOUS TERRORIST GROUPS:

A. Yes.

B. ETA, GRAPO. However, none have ever specifically
targeted Americans. Therefore, they are indigenous and
they are a terrorist group.

C. Yes.

D. Yes.

E. Yes. In 1985, an explosion triggered by ETA killed an
American citizen passer-by.

7. (SBU) TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM:

TRANSNATIONAL TERRORIST INDICATORS:

A. Yes. Al-Qaida, FARC, ELN, GIA, GSPC.

B. The presence is operational, financial, support, and
propaganda in cell structure.

C. No.

D. Yes.

E. Yes. Owing to its geographic location, Spain has a
large Muslim population, some of which is undoubtedly
sympathetic to the Jihadi cause. Terrorist organizations
are known to have used Spain's large Islamic population
as a recruiting ground.

F. It is possible with Spain being a strong ally and
currently having troops positioned in Iraq, and being a
high-profile proponent of the fight against terrorism,
that there could be attacks or other terrorist acts
against Americans in Spain.

G. Weapons and explosive materials are available and can
be acquired.

Manzanares

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