PRESS SUPPORT TO CODEL MATHIAS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00148R000400810009-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 13, 2008
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: November 24, 1982
• Content Type: CABLE

Approved For Release 2008/08/13: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000400810009-5
UNCLASSIFIED
OPP/LLB
INCOMING
B
PP RUEAIIB
ZNR UUUUU ZOC STATE ZZH
UTS4619
PP RUEHC
DE RUEHMD #1973.3281433
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241432Z NOV 82
FM AMEMBASSY. MADRID
TO RUEHIA/USIA WASHDC PRIORITY 1458
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4523
RUEHMDC/AMCONSUL SEVILLE 2755
RUFHNA/USMISSION USNATO 7722
RUFHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 5300
RUEHLD/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9506
RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 9155
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 8017
State Dept. review completed
USIA FOR C, PL. EU. AR
SECSTATE FOR EUR/WE, H
E.O.?12356 N/A
SUBJECT: PRESS SUPPORT TO'CODEL""MATHIAS
1. CODEL MATHIAS, CONSISTING OF SIX SENATORS AND TWO
CONGRESSMEN VISITED SPAIN NOV. 19-23 TO CONSULT ON
PLANS FOR THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBUS' DISCOVERY
OF AMERICA AND ON OTHER BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL
ISSUES. THE VISIT WAS QUITE PRODUCTIVE FROM A PUBLIC
DIPLOMACY STANDPOINT AND PRESS COVERAGE WAS AMPLE. AND
FAVORABLE. THE POST TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE VISIT TO
HIGHLIGHT EXCELLENT RELATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND
SPAIN JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE?A NEW SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT
ASSUMES OFFICE HERE.
2.,,- 10 GUY FARMER ACCOMPANIED THE GROUP (SENATORS"MATHIAS;.._.:.,?
PERU NUNN SPECTER AND ROTH')L,IN:GRANADA NOV. 19-21,
PROVIDED INFORMATION TO THE LOCAL PRESS. SECURED TV
COVERAGE OF A MAJOR 500TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN THE
OFFICES OF THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT, INTERPRETED FOR THE;
SENATORS AND ARRANGED EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FOR THE
LEADING DAILY, 'IDEAL." WITH SENATOR MATHIAS AND
AMBASSADOR TODMAN. FARMER ACCOMPANIED SENATOR PERCY
ON A FLIGHT FROM GRANADA TO MADRID ENROUTE TO LONDON AND
CHICAGO AND, AT THE REQUEST OF THE SENATOR, ARRANGED
FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF A MEETING AT THE MADRID
AIRPORT BETWEEN PERCY AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE. SPANISH
500TH ANNIVERSARY COMMISSION.
3. IN MADRID NOV. 21-23, THE CODEL CONSISTED OF SENATORS-
MATH IAS,'-NUNN;,wHATCH..-SPECTER -AND ROTH:AND CONGRESSMEN
BURTON AND GARCIA. THE POST PROVIDED MEDIA SITE
OFFICERS FOR MEETINGS WITH FUTURE PRIME MINISTER FELIPE
GONZALEZ, MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER MANUEL FRAGA AND
MEMBERS OF THE SPANISH SENATE. POST ALSO SET UP AN
INFORMAL PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE
:UNCLASSIFIED
STAT
- Approved For Release 2008/08/13: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000400810009-5
 Approved For Release 2008/08/13: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000400810009-5
UIRMCLASS I F I ED
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82 9951753 SUR PAGE 002 NC 9951753
TOR: 241458Z NOV 82
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FOR SENATORS MATHIAS AND NUNN, WHICH RESULTED IN
EXTENSIVE COVERAGE ON SPANISH NATIONAL RADIO'S LEADING
MORNING NEWS PROGRAM AND NEWSPAPER HEADLINES AND STORIES
QUOTING THE SENATORS ON THE IMPORTANCE.OF THE NEW NATO
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE U.S. AND THEIR
FRIENDLY DISPOSITION TOWARD GONZALEZ AND THE NEW GOS,..
THERE WERE WIDELY PUBLISHED NEWS PHOTOS OF THE SENATORS'
MEETING WITH KING JUAN CARLOS AND AN "ABRAZO" BETWEEN
.-AMBASSADOR TODMAN AND GONZALEZ.
4. FINALLY, THE AMBASSADOR ATTENDED A COMBINATION
GINNER/ROUNDTABLE. DISCUSSION WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF
THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AT THE INVITATION OF THE
LEADING DAILY, LEFTIST "EL PAIS." THERE WAS A FRANK
GIVE-AND-TAKE DISCUSSION ON SEVERAL HIGH PRIORITY ISSUES
INVOLBVING BILATERAL RELATIONS, NATO. THE NEW BILATERAL
DEFENSE AGREEMENT AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, STRONG U.S.
SUPPORT FOR SPANISH DEMOCRACY. THE LATTER POINT WAS MADE
FORCEFULLY BY BOTH THE SENATORS AND THE AMBASSADOR TO
THE PUBLISHER AND KEY STAFFERS OF AN INFLUENTIAL DAILY
THAT HAS EXPRESSED OCCASIONAL DOUBTS REGARDING THE DEGREE
OF U.S. COMMITMENT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN SPAIN.
RUSSELL
END OF MESSAGE UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASS I F I ED
Approved For Release 2008/08/13: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000400810009-5