RAT 5
Sevilla didn't say a word that day. That was exactly what they did--"cleared to 4000 (platform at LERT), 65+ miles east with no restrictions on when to leave FL 070. Crew assumed they could descend and ATC was providing terrain clearance. It won't be the ATCO being carried by six.
Hawk 37
I don't assert that Spanish ATC will clear you to an altitude that does not provide terrain clearance, I merely said that controller on that day cleared to descend to platform but didn't put a restriction on that clearance that would have provided terrain clearance. When I got in the pilot's seat and ATC that we were now at FL 070 and would maintain it until reaching the IAF, he just said that was approved. BTW, we were in cloud on the descent when the GPWS sounded and VMC at FL 070.
ATC in South America is also famous for doing such things, I presume, they leave terrain clearance to the pilot.
GF