Spain as 51st state | 54 comments (54 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: so far, perhaps (none / 1)

You can find all the Couso cables here: http://www.elpais.com/documentossecretos/tema/el_caso_couso/

Individual cables follow - with my translations of the (obviously editorializing) ElPais headlines

A few cables are entirely devoted to the Couso case.

Cable on the Ministry of Justice's alleged effort to archive the case · ELPAÍS.com

SUBJECT: SPAIN/COUSO CASE: JUDGE CHARGES US SERVICEMEN WITH
"CRIMES AGAINST INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY"

Cable which assures that [deputy PM] De la Vega is "very involved" · ELPAÍS.com

SUBJECT: SPAIN/COUSO CASE: UPDATE; CONVERSATIONS WITH KEY
SPANISH LEADERS

The embassy communicates to Washington that "it appears the [US servicemen] arrest orders are imminent" · ELPAÍS.com

SUBJECT: COUSO CASE: JUDGE REINSTATES CHARGES AGAINST U.S.
SOLDIERS

Cable by the Ambassador to Condoleezza Rice on the Spanish Government's involvement · ELPAÍS.com

On our side, you should note
continued USG concern about the court case against the three
US servicemen charged with alleged &war crimes8 in the case
of the death of Spanish TV camerman Jose Couse in the
Palestine Hotel in Baghdad in 2003. The GOS has been helpful
behind the scenes in getting the case appealed by the Spanish
Prosecutor. The case now moves to the appeals tribunal of
the National Court, which will rule on the substance of the
charges. We want continued vigilance and cooperation by the
GOS until the case is dropped.

(My emphasis: while in public supporting Couso's family and claiming to them in private that they are resisting US pressures)

The US announces that it will take measures if its servicemembers are indicted over the Couso case · ELPAÍS.com

Charge took the opportunity to convey our concerns
(using talking points in reftel) about the dormant, but
possibly still pending, Spanish court case on the Couso
incident, noting our desire to avoid a situation in which US
soldiers could be indicted by a foreign court. In the event
of any indictments, Charge urged the MFA to issue a strong
"friend of the court" type of brief clearly expressing
opposition to such a development. Leon was unaware of the
pending court case, and undertook to look into the matter. He
emphasized, however, the completely independent nature of the
Spanish judiciary and the lack of ability of the government
to influence decisions on court cases. Charge noted that if
such indictments occurred, USG would go back to MFA to again
raise the matter and urge a strong statement of opposition
from the GOS.

Cable on the work of Spanish ministers "to defy the arrest warrants" · ELPAÍS.com

SUBJECT: SPANISH MINISTERS WORKING TO CHALLENGE ARREST
WARRANTS

Here I am unsure whether "challenge" has been mistranslated (in a judicial context) as "defy" intentionally or unintentionally.

Deputy PM [De la Vega] is grateful for the US Government's response to a request for judicial cooperation · ELPAÍS.com

She
expressed the Spanish government's appreciation for the USG
response to the Spanish request for judicial cooperation in
the Jose Couso case. De la Vega said Attorney General Conde
Pumpido had briefed her on the excellent cooperation he had
enjoyed from the Embassy and U.S. authorities in helping
bring this case to a conclusion.

Cable in which the Embassy seeks contact with the National Court's chief prosecutor · ELPAÍS.com