SPAIN: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON UNEP'S STRATEGIC

UNCLAS MADRID 002398 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/ENV AND IO/EDA NAIROBI FOR PERMREP TO UNEP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PREL SENV SP SUBJECT: SPAIN: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON UNEP'S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR CAPACITY BUILDING REF: SECSTATE 135301 ¶1. We shared reftel points with Ana Paredes, MFA Subdirector General for International Technical Organizations and Amparo Ramblas, Deputy Director for International Relations, Ministry of Environment. ¶2. Paredes responded that she has not heard of any proposed plan that would require the UNEP to direct or oversee the work of autonomous bodies. She added that France is proposing a world agency on the environment supported by Germany and opposed by Austria. Paredes said that Spain takes a neutral posture on France's proposal. ¶3. Paredes requested that we send her a copy of the talking points so that she could consult appropriately with technical staff, which we declined to provide per reftel instructions (see comment). ¶4. Amparo Ramblas said that she would inform the appropriate Spanish mission of reftel points. ¶5. Comment: Paredes said that she recently pressed for the GOS to adopt a USG position, only to learn from upset GOS officials upon their return from negotiations that the USG reversed its position without informing the GOS. She is now reluctant to act upon a USG demarche without receiving a written request. End Comment. ARGYROS