Pilot Pete et al.: This tread subject went from a question about a possible emergency to whether to declare an emergency in case of OEI.
414A chose not to think so.
My 10 cents was only to inform 414A that even the best American twoholer around was subject to some modified behavior when OEI. Behavior which just might require assistance.
Annex 10 and Doc 9432 defines distress as follows:
Distress: a condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and of requiring immediate assistance.
Now, why do you assume that we were subject to imminent danger and required immediate assistance? And what does "English as a second language" have to do with it?
We had a 5-5 connection with Madrid ATC and, using the prescribed ICAO phraseology, we coordinated descent and turn toward suitable airport
before danger arose.
BTW: Neither Spain nor the United States have notified ICAO of differences to Annex 10 (Communication Procedures including those with PANS status).