roup (GRAPO) use terrorism to oppose the
government; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977) include the
Communist-dominated Workers Commissions (CCOO); the Socialist General Union
of Workers (UGT), and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union (USO);
the Catholic Church; business and landowning interests; Opus Dei; university
students
Member of:
AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC,
EIB, ESA, FAO, G-8, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer),
ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, OAS (observer),
OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Jaime de OJEDA; Chancery at 2700 15th Street NW, Washington, DC
20009; telephone (202) 265-0190 or 0191; there are Spanish Consulates
General in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US:
Ambassador Joseph ZAPPALA; Embassy at Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid (mailing
address is APO AE 09642); telephone [34] (1) 577-4000, FAX [34] (1)
577-5735; there is a US Consulate General in Barcelona and a Consulate in
Bilbao
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the
national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms
includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two
promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the
Strait of Gibraltar

:Spain Economy

Overview:
Spain has done well since joining the EC in 1986. In accordance with its
accession treaty, Spain has almost wholly liberalized trade and capital
markets. Foreign and domestic investment has spurred average growth of 4%
per year. Beginning in 1989, Madrid implemented a tight monetary policy to
fight inflation - around 7% in 1989 and 1990. As a result growth slowed to
2.5% in 1991. Spanish policymakers remain concerned with inflation - still
hovering at 6%. Government officials also are worried about 16%
unemployment, although many people listed as unemployed work in the
underground economy. Spanish economists believe that structural adjustments
due to the ongoing integration of the European mar