SPANISH RESPONSE: RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002619

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREL SY SP
SUBJECT: SPANISH RESPONSE: RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA

REF: STATE 142629

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


1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche on July 6 to Enrique
Mora, Director of the MFA's Office of EU Foreign Policy and
Common Security. Mora was not able to give an immediate
reaction, but later spoke to POLOFF on July 9. He stated
that Spain and the EU share the general concern with the USG
regarding the human rights situation in Syria. Mora said
that the EU would deliver a demarche to the Syria government
either on July 13 or 14 requesting that Syria clarify their
reasons for detaining persons mentioned in our talking points.


2. (C) Mora said that the EU was still looking for a Syrian
official who could accept the demarche. He said that Syrian
officials and diplomats are often reluctant to accept
negative messages, as they can face retribution from the
higher levels of the Syrian government. Mora stated that
while the EU does not believe that President Bashar al-Assad
is likely to support democracy or radical changes in the
Syrian regime, he is better than his father. Mora said that
the EU sees a reformist faction in Syria and hopes to
approach the Syrian human rights situation in a manner that
advances the reformers.


3. (C) We also delivered the demarche to Juan Manuel Cabrera,
Director of the MFA's Office of Human Rights on July 6.
Cabrera had no comment at that time and we will report any
response we receive in the future.
MANZANARES