Cablegate: Staffdel Brennan Seeks Spanish Cooperation In

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P 301530Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
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INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
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UNCLAS MADRID 002163

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR H

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR SP
SUBJECT: STAFFDEL BRENNAN SEEKS SPANISH COOPERATION IN
STEMMING FLOW OF COLOMBIAN COCAINE

1. (U) A staff delegation from the House International
Relations Committee and the House Judiciary Committee visited
Madrid August 28-30, to discuss narcotics trafficking between
Europe and Colombia and other Andean nations. Poloff and DEA
attach attended all meetings with Spanish and Colombian
officials. During their meetings, the delegation delivered
the message that narcotics trafficking -- specifically
Colombian cocaine -- is no longer just a U.S. problem and
Spain and the rest of Europe must take an increased role in
dealing with the issue. The StaffDel met with the Action
Committee on Drug Trafficking of Spain's Interior Ministry,
and representatives from the Spanish National Police, Civil
Guard and Customs. In addition, the StaffDel met with the
Colombian Ambassador to Spain Martha Noemi Sanin and
Colombian Ambassador to the United Nations Jose Serrano
Cadena.

2. (U) In preparation for a September 21 joint hearing on the
European role in stopping the flow of narcotics, the StaffDel
will make the following observations and recommendations to
the HIRC:

//OBSERVATIONS//

-- (U) Spain does not dispute that cocaine trafficking is a
major problem for Spain and Europe. They agree with the
consensus among U.S. and Colombian officials that 40 to 50
percent of all Andean cocaine now goes to Europe.

-- (U) While Spain is clearly working to coordinate efforts
between the Spanish National Police, the Civil Guard and
Spanish Customs, interagency turf battles seem to be
hindering the cooperation efforts.

-- (U) It is evident that Venezuela is the primary
stepping-off point for Colombian cocaine en route to Europe.

//RECOMMENDATIONS//

-- (U) Encourage Spain to support Colombia in the war against
narco-trafficking.

-- (U) Encourage Spain to take the lead in the European Union
in the drug war.

-- (U) Encourage Colombia to seek EU assistance similiar to
USG assistance provided through "Plan Colombia."

-- (U) Encourage Spain to be the European leader in soft-side
support to Colombia such as assisting demobilized members of
the FARC, planting alternative crops or in projects such as
the construction of schools and hospitals.

-- (U) Praise Spain for its work in helping initiate a
European/Andean law enforcement liaison office in Lisbon,
Portugal, based on the JIATF-S concept.

-- (U) Encourage greater information sharing between
Colombian and U.S. agencies.

-- (U) Encourage a much increased Spanish liaison presence in
Bogota to improve cooperation with Colombian law enforcement
agencies in the fight against drugs, particularly in
information sharing.

//COMMENT//

3. (SBU). Spain is clearly engaged in the battle to stem the
flow of Colombian cocaine and Colombian Ambassador Sanin was
quick to express appreciation for Spain's good cooperation
with Colombia on this issue. However, resource issues are
clearly a problem for Spain's security services; at several
points, Spanish interlocutors said that the recent spike in
illegal immigration from sub-Saharan Africa is straining
their interdiction capabilities. We expect that Spain will
maintain a good level of cooperation with Andean countries
despite the current resource pressures.

AGUIRRE

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