ID:169777
    Date:2008-09-15 06:49:00
    Origin:08MADRID987
    Source:Embassy Madrid
    Classification:CONFIDENTIAL
    Dunno:08STATE97574
    Destination:VZCZCXRO2640
RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHMD #0987 2590649
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 150649Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5325
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3576
    
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000987 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 
TAGS: PREL, ETRD, GG, KV, SP 
SUBJECT: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION'S SEPTEMBER 12,2009, 
MEETING WITH NEW DG FOR EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA 
 
REF: STATE 97574 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Arnold A. Chacon, Reasons 1.4b, 
d. 
 
1. (C) Summary:  Deputy Chief of Mission Chacon called 
September 12, 2009, on new MFA Director General for Europe 
(non-UE) and North America Luis Felipe Fernandez de La Pena. 
They discussed the bilateral relationship, Georgia, Kosovo, 
and intellectual property rights.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) The DCM reviewed the bilateral relationship, noting 
its fundamental strength and stressing that meetings being 
planned for the margins of UNGA offered an opportunity for 
frank dialogue on the key issues.  Fernandez de la Pena 
agreed that the U.S. and Spain had strong political and 
economic relations but argued relations could be even 
stronger if both countries made a greater effort to turn the 
page on the differences of the past.  He indicated his focus 
would be on developing a positive agenda that would include 
not only government-to-government contacts but increased 
cultural and civil society relations. 
 
3. (C) Turning to Georgia, the DCM reviewed the U.S. position 
and delivered a copy of the reftel non-paper.  Fernandez de 
la Pena said the EU response to Russia's actions had been 
rapid and united, something the EU had not always achieved. 
He said the EU's united front on this occasion made it a more 
consistent partner for the U.S. 
 
4. (C) Taking up the theme of partnership, the DCM noted U.S. 
and Spanish differences on Kosovo as well as rumors that 
Spain was lobbying other countries (e.g., in Latin America) 
against recognition.  He noted this was an issue that might 
come in meetings with U.S. officials on the margins of UNGA. 
Fernandez de la Pena insisted there was a misperception that 
Spain was lobbying regarding Kosovo.  He distinguished 
between explaining the Spanish position (which he described 
as "coherent") when asked and actively campaigning against 
recognition.  He said emphatically that Spain was not 
lobbying. 
 
5. (C) The DCM raised IPR and Spain's appearance of the 
Special 301 watchlist, urging that the GOS take strong action 
against internet piracy.  Fernandez de la Pena seemed 
unfamiliar with the issue but promised to give it his 
attention. 
Aguirre