The Long Path towards the Agreement of Defense Cooperation between the United States and Spain Signed in 1988: Diplomatic Negotiations and Published Opinion

Abstract

During the second half of the twentieth century the U.S.-Spain relations were highly conditioned by the existence of the bilateral agreements signed in 1953.The transition from a dictatorship to a democracy involved the need to amend those aspects that did not fit with the new Spanish reality. However, the adjustment was hampered both by the domestic political situation in the country and by the debate generated by the controversial accession of Spain to NATO. Therefore, this article is driven by the need to reconsider the negotiations that led in 1988 to the signing of the Agreement of Defense Cooperation between the United States and Spain. Two main factors are considered through a long-term analysis: diplomatic negotiations and their reflection in the media. From the reports issued by the American intelligence it is possible to examine how was assessed from Washington the performance of the cabinets led by Felipe González. The study shows the convenience of questioning some of the personal testimonies that were used until now to recreate this period.