-DATE- 19840217 -YEAR- 1984 -DOCUMENT_TYPE- REPORT -AUTHOR- F. CASTRO -HEADLINE- CASTRO ACTIVITIES, REMARKS DURING VISIT REPORTED -PLACE- MADRID -SOURCE- BARCELONA LA VANGUARDIA -REPORT_NBR- FBIS -REPORT_DATE- 19840217 -TEXT- CASTRO ACTIVITIES, REMARKS DURING VISIT REPORTED PM290937 Barcelona LA VANGUARDIA in Spanish 17 Feb 84 p 3 [Unattributed report: "Castro's Unexpected Visit to Madrid Imparts New Impetus to Spanish-Cuban Relations"] [Text] Madrid -- The leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, yesterday achieved his often stated desire to set foot on Spanish soil, where his father was born. The Cuban leader was accompanied by Daniel Ortega, coordinator of the Nicaraguan Government junta and one of the principal leaders of the Sandinist Front. Castro and his party took advantage of a "technical stopover" by the Aeroflot return flight from Moscow to Havana to meet with Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez and to hold a brief telephone conversation with King Juan Carlos. The "technical stopover" at Barajas Airport lasted 5 hours, during which, besides meeting with Spanish officials, the revolutionary leaders held an impromptu press conference. Following Fidel Castro's departure, there was talk of another, longer, official visit to Spain, which has not yet been finalized, despite repeated invitations that the Cuban leader has received from successive Spanish Governments. Fidel Castro in turn extended an invitation, in his telephone call to the Zarzuela Palace, to the king and queen of Spain to visit Cuba, once described as "the ever loyal island, the last jewel in the crown," and which to some extent it still remains. Both Castro and Daniel Ortega paid warm tributes to King Juan Carlos. Fidel Castro said that he did "not know how to address him, because I regard him simply as a great friend." The Cuban leader's 5 hours in Madrid were characterized by spontaneity and much haste, since Felipe Gonzalez only learned of the aircraft's "technical stopover" a few hours in advance, although the Spanish prime minister immediately granted his approval for it. An impressive display of security was organized at Barajas Airport, where about 100 journalists awaited Fidel Castro -- which shows how much interest the news generated. Peace in Central America The situation in Central America, prospects for peace in the area, and world disarmanment were the main topics of conversation at the luncheon Felipe Gonzalez organized for his guests at the Moncloa Palace, and which was also attended by Carmen Romero [Mrs Gonzalez], Deputy Prime Minister Alfonso Guerra, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Miguel D'Escoto, Cuban Deputy President Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, and Spanish Government spokesman Eduardo Sotillos. Spanish Foreign Minister Fernando Moran was unable to attend, since he was in Austria. Afterward, it was revealed that the tone of the conversation bad been informal and very lively. There was also discussion of industrial and technological changes. Alfonso Guerra said that Fidel Castro "was very moved and voluble. He has a great capacity for dialogue." There was no discussion at the luncheon of the possibility of transferring a number of ETA deportees to Cuba, but the Cuban revolutionary was again asked to release Spaniard Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, still in prison in the Caribbean island on counterrevolutionary charges. Later, at the press conference given before his departure for Havana, Fidel Castro said that Gutierrez Menoyo "arrived in Cuba from the United States. When he landed, fighting took place in which many of our comrades died. He is the leader of a counterrevolutionary organization carrying out attacks and sabotage against our country, an organization closely linked to the CIA. Otherwise, he would have been released long ago." Nevertheless, Castro added that "Spain and Prime Minister Gonzalez are more important than anything else, and we do not rule out examination of a solution to this problem." In connection with this matter, which is upsetting relations between the two countries, the prisoner's sister and a group of Cuban exiles including the poet Armando Valladares took up position near the Moncloa Palace in an attempt to speak with Fidel Castro. They were unsuccessful. The former nursemaid to Felipe Gonzalez' children, who had met with Fidel Castro in Havana, was successful, however. With regard to Gutierrez Menoyo, Alfonso Guerra said later that "all I know is that he is a political prisoner and must be released." At the press conference the three leaders -- Spanish, Cuban, and Nicaraguan -- expressed support for the action for peace being carried out by the Contadora Group countries. Felipe Gonzalez explained that, when he was talking to Castro and Ortega, he received a call from President Belisario Betancur of Colombia, which belongs to the Contadora Group. According to the Spanish premier, this demonstrates "the fluidity of the dialogue on the Central American situation." Before leaving, Fidel Castro met with PCE Secretary General General Gerardo Iglesias. Both the Popular Alliance and the Popular Democratic Party expressed their opposition to the visit. At a luncheon with deputies, Popular Alliance leader Fraga Iribarne quipped that he had invited Fidel Castro to "have a cup of coffee." -END-