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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"
SUBJECT: SPAIN/COUSO CASE: UPDATE; CONVERSATIONS WITH KEY SPANISH LEADERS
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.
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
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.
SUBJECT: SPAIN/COUSO CASE: JUDGE ISSUES DETENTION ORDER AGAINST THREE U.S. SERVICEMEN
SUBJECT: SPAIN/COUSO CASE: MEETING WITH CHIEF PROSECUTOR
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