Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MADRID1864
2004-05-21 13:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:  

MFA'S NEW POLITICAL DIRECTOR ON AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ,

Tags:  PREL PGOV SP NATO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 001864 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV SP NATO
SUBJECT: MFA'S NEW POLITICAL DIRECTOR ON AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ,
MIDDLE EAST, ICC ROLLOVER RESOLUTION

REF: A. STATE 111287


B. STATE 111359

Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick for reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 001864

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV SP NATO
SUBJECT: MFA'S NEW POLITICAL DIRECTOR ON AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ,
MIDDLE EAST, ICC ROLLOVER RESOLUTION

REF: A. STATE 111287


B. STATE 111359

Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick for reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) MFA Political director Rafael Dezcallar told
Polcouns in a May 20 meeting that Spain wanted to be helpful
on Afghanistan but likely would have to determine whether
resources would be available. He indicated the GOS likely
would not be able to meet all of the requests the USG has
presented (ref a). On the issue of augmenting troop presence
in Western Afghanistan, he asked for details on the location
and distance of the Forward Support Base from Kabul. Per
e-mail response from EUR/RPM, we were able to get this
information back quickly to the MFA. (the FSB is in Herat,
some 400 miles from Kabul in a relatively calm area). Note:
in a separate conversation later that day, President
Zapatero's national security advisor Casajuana asked about
the size/numbers required for the medical facility we had
requested -- conversation reported septel).


2. (C) When we reviewed our thinking on the possible
elements of a draft Iraq UNSC resolution (ref b),Dezcallar
asked about USG thinking on the Russian proposal for two
conferences, one among Iraqis to endorse the new government
and another with the participation of the international
community. Dezcallar also said the GOS believes any
resolution must deal with the "before and after" sovereignty
transfer issue, i.e., the resolution should support the
pre-June 30 political arrangement but also outline the
post-June 30 plan for transferring sovereignty and eventually
holding elections. He was pleased with the reference to a
endorsing a political transition timetable, e.g., elections
in January 2005. On the element encouraging regional
organization participation, Dezcallar expressed concern that
a resolution specifically referring to a NATO role would
appear to western- and even U.S.-oriented and suggested that
resolution refer only in general to international and/or
regional organizations.


3. (C) As part of our continuing dialogue with the GOS over
the past few weeks on the UNSC ICC rollover resolution,
Dezcallar recalled his May 19 conversation with A/S Jones,

saying that the issue remained a matter of principle for the
GOS, and even last year the Aznar government, in voting in
favor of the resolution, had made clear this was not to be an
automatic annual expectation. As have several senior MFA
interlocutors over the past several days, Dezcallar said the
GOS would play a positive role in helping to develop
consensus on the resolution, and did not want to create
complications for the US at a critical moment.


4. (C) On the ICC rollover, Polcouns asked the GOS to look
at this resolution as a practical measure to allow non-Rome
Treaty participants -- particularly the U.S. -- to continue
to perform the responsibilities the UN has asked us to
undertake, rather than as the moment to debate the philosophy
of the ICC. He reaffirmed Spain very much preferred to
abstain on the resolution, particularly if the USG has the
votes to pass it.


5. (C) We asked Dezcallar for his impressions of the
back-to-back visits of Israeli FM Shalom and Palestinian PM
Qorei, which took place at the same time A/S Burns had
visited (to be reported septel). Dezcallar said this is an
extremely difficult moment in the Middle East, against the
backdrop of the house demolitions and killings in Gaza. He
said the Israelis were particularly tough on the issue and
that the Palestinians were very depressed and lacked hope.
We noted our desire to see other leadership than Arafat, but
Dezcallar said Arafat maintains huge symbolic significance
for the Palestinians, particularly now, and that he must be
taken into account. Dezcallar urged positive gestures
toward the Palestinians over the coming days. Polcouns asked
whether Qorei had acknowledged the need to stem terrorist
violence from Hamas and others. Dezcallar said he had, but
that the overwhelming force used by Israel had given the
Palestinians cover. He expressed appreciation for the US
abstention on the UNSC resolution on the Gaza demolitions
just the day before.


6. (C) Earlier that day, Polcouns had attended a speech by
Qorei organized by a prominent Spanish think tank in
association with the wall street journal. When asked by the
leader of the Jewish Community in Madrid about the same
issue, Qorei responded that he renounced all forms of
terrorism but accused the Israeli government of state
terrorism against the Palestinians in Gaza. He urged the
Quartet to do their utmost to renew negotiations on the
roadmap and stop Israeli demolitions and other incursions in
the occupied territories. He also denied that Camp David and
Taba had offered anything concrete to the Palestinians, and
said the portrayal that the Palestinians had rejected
opportunities for a two-state solution were lies.


8. (C) Dezcallar again expressed appreciation for the USG's
strong support for the selection of Spanish Ambassador
Ruperez to head the UN's counter-terrorism commission. The
GOS sees this as a very good sign, he said.
ARGYROS