[Australia]: Message to Spain [SEC=TOP SECRET]

[Owen]

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MINISTER FOR DEFENCE​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET​

16 February 2007

Dear Minister Arce, During Spain's previous administration we had selected Spain as our partner of choice to provide the next generation of naval assets to the Royal Australian Navy, particularly the Juan Carlos-class, the Alvaro de Bazan-class and the Cantabria-class. The previous administration of Spain was supportive of this and we had entered negotiations for the purchase, however these talks went cold and nothing had concluded from them. We are hopeful this time that this new Spanish administration would be more.... responsive, to our meetings and messages. I am proposing that the Ambassador to Spain, Ms. Susan Tanner, will meet with the relevant counterparts in Spain to renegotiate a deal, if your government is generally supportive of this proposal. Yours sincerely, John Faulkner.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

Protective Marking:	Business Impact Level:	Compromise of Information Confidentiality:	Required to be Encrypted:
UNOFFICIAL	No Business Impact	No damage. This information does not form part of official duty.
OFFICIAL	Low Business Impact	No or insignificant damage. This is the majority of routine information.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive	Low to Medium Business Impact	Limited damage to an individual, organisation or government generally if compromised.
PROTECTED	High Business Impact	Damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
SECRET	Extreme Business Impact	Serious damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
TOP SECRET	Catastrophic Business Impact	Exceptionally grave damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.

JamieA

 

[JamieA]

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Security Classification: Private and Secure
To: John Faulkner < Owen >
Cc:
From: Andrónico Arce
Subject: Standing Firm
Type: DIPLOMATIC CABLE

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Dear Minister John Faulkner,

Thank you for your correspondence. I would be most pleased to meet with the Australian Ambassador, Ms. Susan Tanner. However, I must emphasize that this administration has no intention of selling any defence equipment essential to the security of the Kingdom of Spain in the absence of a formal bilateral relationship and a mutually agreed framework between our two countries.


Warmest Regards,
Andrónico Arce
Minister of Defence, Kingdom of Spain

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© Spain​

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[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET​

16 February 2007

Dear Minister Arce, I'm sure we can come to some sort of a mutually agreed framework and I'm sure the Ambassador will be able to work on that proposal. She will meet with you shortly. Yours sincerely, John Faulkner.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

Protective Marking:	Business Impact Level:	Compromise of Information Confidentiality:	Required to be Encrypted:
UNOFFICIAL	No Business Impact	No damage. This information does not form part of official duty.
OFFICIAL	Low Business Impact	No or insignificant damage. This is the majority of routine information.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive	Low to Medium Business Impact	Limited damage to an individual, organisation or government generally if compromised.
PROTECTED	High Business Impact	Damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
SECRET	Extreme Business Impact	Serious damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
TOP SECRET	Catastrophic Business Impact	Exceptionally grave damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.

The Embassy's Jaguar XJ would depart with the Ambassador from the underground carpark of the office tower which houses the Australian Embassy on the northern side of Madrid and would head towards the Minister of Defence's main office.

JamieA

 

[JamieA]

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Upon hearing that the Australian Jaguar XJ was en route, the Defence Minister swiftly dispatched the Guardia Civil to help guide the vehicle through the busy Madrid streets. Meanwhile, he directed a few aides to the conference room, ensuring it was prepared for the imminent arrival of the Australian Ambassador.

Out of courtesy, the Defence Minister chose to wait outside the Ministry building. When the sleek car finally pulled up, a Guardia Civil officer stepped forward, opening the door for the Ambassador. The Defence Minister was already there, hand extended, greeting the visitor with a firm handshake before leading the way into the building.

“Ms. Ambassador, how are you?” he began warmly, as they entered the conference room. Gesturing toward a chair, he added with a measured tone, “I want to reiterate that the Kingdom of Spain is not prepared to part with or sell any equipment after a single meeting.” He then took his seat opposite the Ambassador, with a few of his advisors positioned on either side.

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Owen

 

[Owen]

She would shake the Minister's hand.

"I am doing very well, it is a pleasure to meet you and may I congratulate you on your recent election victory."

She would follow him into the conference room and would take a seat.

"We did have an at times, productive relationship, with the previous administration of Spain, but they were not very good at upkeeping it on their end. Already this administration is more than attentive. I would like to hear what you have proposed for a mutually agreeable framework, which was mentioned in your message."

JamieA

 

[JamieA]

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Andrónico listened attentively as the Australian spoke, then gave a thoughtful nod.

“As you mentioned, the previous administration fell short” he began, “I can only speak to defence agreements, mutual cooperation, and the like. However, I have received word from the Foreign Ministry that they would be willing to consider arrangements in areas such as educational cooperation and trade agreements.”

He paused, turning his gaze toward the office window for a moment before continuing.

“We would be more than happy to sell the Cantabria-class before further relations are fully established. How many units are you seeking?”

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Owen