UNCLASSIFIFD USICA 10601 ACTIOM USICA4INFO AMB DCM POL2 8/HM VZCZCMDO183 OO RUEHMD DE RUEHIA #Q601 0682351 ZNR UUUUU 0 092349Z MAR 81 FM USICA WASHDC 10 MAR 81 0730 BT UNCLAS USICA 10601 USICA FOR GUY FARMER FO 12065 N/A SUBJECT: EAIG COMMENTS ON SPAIN 1. SPAIN WAS NOT RAISED IN FRENCH TV ANTENNE II INTERVIEW. 2. ON FEBRUARY 23, IN THE DIPLOMATIC LOBBY OF STATE, AS HE SAW FRANCOIS-PONCET TO HIS CAR. THE SECRETARY DID RESPOND TO REPORTERS. THE QUESTION CAME AFTER A QUESTION TO FRANCOIS-PONCET ON CHAD AND FRANCE POLICY THERE. QUESTION: MR. SECRETARY, COULD YOU TALK ABOUT SPAIN? SECRETARY HAIG: FIRST, THE QUESTION IS ON SPAIN. WE HAVE NOTHING TO SAY TODAY OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE SITUATION AS IT HAS DEVELOPED. IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS. AN INTERNAL MATTER. OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS, WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE EVENTS IN SPAIN WITH GREAT INTEREST AND ATTENTION. WE NOTE THAT THE CHALLENGE TO SPANISH DEMOCRACY WAS LIMITED TO A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THE SPANISH PEOPLE REMAINED LOYAL TO THE KING AND TO THE CONSTITUTION. LIKE ALL FRIENDS OF THAT COUNTRY, WE JOIN IN EXPRESSING OUR CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS AND ON THE STRENGTH SHOWN BY THE INSTITUTIONS AND LEADERS OF SPAIN'S NEW DEMOCRACY. EL ROL Y LIDERAZGO DEL REY JUAN CARLOS FUERON CLARAMENTE INSTRUMENTALES EN EL FIN DE LA CRISIS Y MERECEN UNA ADMIRACIÓN PARTICULAR. 4. WHILE IT DOES NOT SOLVE YOUR PARTICULAR PROBLEM, JULIAN FERNANDEZ JUST REPORTED TO ME THAT THE SECRETARY, FOLLOWING A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH FRG FOREIGN MINISTER TODAY, SAID, "WE DISCUSSED THE CONTINUING DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN SPAIN AND HOPE IT WILL CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED." SEIRLEY, ACTING BT #Q601 UNCLASSIFIED USICA 10601