SPANISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON CHR 60 RESOLUTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001079

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2014
TAGS: PHUM CH CU SP UNHRC
SUBJECT: SPANISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON CHR 60 RESOLUTIONS
ON CHINA AND CUBA

REF: A. STATE 64048


B. MADRID 998

C. MADRID 822

Classified By: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Political Counselor, for Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) PolCouns and Poloff met with Augustin Nunez, MFA
Director General for UN Affairs (A/S equivalent) on March 26
to follow up on our initial March 23 approach to senior MFA
officials regarding the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Cuba
and China resolutions (reftels A and B). We stressed our
desire for Spain, though not a CHR member, to help garner
support for the upcoming resolutions among the EU and to
co-sponsor the resolutions. Nunez took the opportunity to
recall that Spain had been a CHR candidate previously, but
withdrew so the US could regain its seat, and that Spain
would like to get back on the Commission. (Note: this has
been a recurring theme with the Spanish, as post has reported
previously (reftel C). In a subsequent lunch meeting on
March 29, Inigo de Palacio, Director of the UN Affairs Office
under Nunez in the MFA, stressed to Poloff Spain's desire for
USG assistance in lobbying for Spain's candidacy for the CHR.
De Palacio asked if Washington could inform the MFA or
Spain's UN representation if the USG intended to provide this
assistance to the Spanish candidacy. End Note)


2. (C) Nunez stressed first that under the current caretaker
government, no important decisions could be made without
consultation with the incoming Socialist government, and that
as yet there were no interlocutors selected by the incoming
government to consult with on these issues. That said, he
noted that the EU members of the CHR likely would vote for
the Cuba resolution; the question for Spain was whether to
co-sponsor. Nunez said that if the majority of EU countries
decided to co-sponsor, Spain would likely go along. He also
added that EU policy opposes no-action motions, and that the
policy would remain in place for both the Cuba and China
resolutions.


3. (C) On China, Nunez said that unlike the USG, the EU sees
the EU-China Human rights dialogue as the more effective
means to deal with China on human rights concerns, and
believes the on-going dialogue mitigates the need for a
resolution. Spain would not take an active role on this
issue, he said. Nunez stated that if the resolution is put
to a vote, EU members would likely abstain or vote in favor.


4. (C) On China accepting a visit by the Special Rapporteur
on Torture, Nunez said that the Dutch had indicated that the
Chinese had finally accepted a visit, though with no date
certain. He took the opportunity to express concern about
Special Rapporteur Van Boven's report on Spain, which is very
unfavorable toward Spain regarding treatment of ETA prisoners
(reftel C). Nunez said Van Boven was operating off of
outmoded concepts, viewing modern Spain as if it were Spain
under Franco or Central America 20 years ago.
ARGYROS