ACCESSION NUMBER:222091
FILE ID:EU-409
DATE:04/02/92
TITLE:SPANISH P.M. VOICES SUPPORT FOR U.S. PRESENCE IN EUROPE (04/02/92)
TEXT:*92040209.EUR
*EUR409   04/02/92 *

SPANISH P.M. VOICES SUPPORT FOR U.S. PRESENCE IN EUROPE
(Says should be "qualitatively significant")  (550)
David Pitts
USIA Staff Writer
1ashington -- Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez said April 2 that he
strongly supports the continuation of a U.S. presence in Europe.  Although
he said the degree of participation is up to the United States, he voiced
support for a commitment that is "qualitatively significant."

Speaking at a news conference held at the Spanish embassy shortly after a
meeting with President Bush, Gonzalez said all NATO members agree the
United States "should not be delinked" from Europe.  He also said that,
although NATO must evolve to meet changing circumstances in Europe, "I see
a need for NATO."

Gonzalez said that he discussed a wide range of issues with President Bush
and Secretary of State James Baker, including aid to the former Soviet
Union, the Middle East, and GATT.  "There are no bilateral problems between
the two countries," he remarked.

The Spanish premier said he supports the effort announced by President Bush
April 1 to provide aid and that Spain would participate.  On GATT, he said
he is "not overly optimistic" about a successful outcome to the
negotiation.  He said it may be necessary to arrive at what he called "an
intermediate solution."  But he provided no details about what that might
be.  Gonzalez said that he and President Bush reviewed the situation in the
Middle East and the U.N. sanctions imposed on Libya in particular.  But he
said the United States made "no concrete requests" of Spain with respect to
Libya.

Asked about the danger of terrorism at Expo '92, the world's fair scheduled
to open in Spain later this month, Gonzalez said, "Security is very high"
and that a number of terrorist leaders had recently been arrested.  He said
he felt visitors to Spain would be safe.

The news conference was dominated by questions concerning Cuba.  Gonzalez
said that the subject was not discussed with President Bush today.  "As we
were finishing lunch, President Bush said 'We have not mentioned Cuba.'
But that was all that was said."

Gonzalez noted that Spanish-Cuban relations have been going through a
"difficult period" over the last year.  "We would like to have a better
relationship," he added.  But he explained that since Cuba and Spain have
very different political and economic systems, it would be difficult to
increase trade and achieve overall better relations.  Asked if he felt
Fidel Castro's regime was capable of becoming democratic, Gonzalez said, "I
really don't know."  But he noted that there has been "a significant trend
toward democratization in Latin America" since the 1980s and "that should
include Cuba."  As to how that should be brought about, Gonzalez said, "I
think the path of isolation does not promise to be effective."

The condemnation of Cuba at the recent United Nations Human Rights
Commission in Geneva was also raised.  Gonzalez was asked about Cuba's
refusal to cooperate with the U.N. rapporteur appointed to investigate
human rights abuses on the island.  He said that he felt Cuba should
cooperate.  "They should agree to allow the rapporteur to come in," he
remarked.

In addition to meeting with President Bush and Secretary Baker April 2,
Gonzalez also met Vice-President Dan Quayle for a working breakfast.  He
was also scheduled to meet with congressional leaders before leaving the
United States later in the day.  This official visit to the United States
was the prime minister's third since assuming office in 1982.

NNNN

.