SPAIN SUPPORTS EU PRESSURE ON DARFUR, INCREASES AID

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002636

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM EAID SP UNSC
SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS EU PRESSURE ON DARFUR, INCREASES AID

REF: STATE 145183

Classified By: KATHLEEN M. FITZPATRICK. REASONS 1.4 B/D


1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA desk officer for
sub-Saharan Africa Nuria Reigosa and the Spanish Agency for
International Development Secretary General,s Head of
Cabinet Francisco Javier Jimenez de Gregorio regarding the
imminent crisis in Darfur. Reigosa told us that at the July
12-14 EU Foreign Ministers meeting, Spain would support a
tougher EU position condemning violence in Darfur, pressing
the government of Sudan to disarm militias, and calling for
unfettered humanitarian access to internally displaced
persons.


2. (C) The Government of Spain also approved on July 8 a new
grant of EUR 1.15 million (USD 1.43 million) for emergency
humanitarian assistance in Darfur. The World Food Program
will receive EUR 400 thousand (USD 496 thousand) with the
remainder going to NGOs active in the region. These funds
are in addition to the EUR 880 thousand (USD 1.10 million)
that Spain pledged at the June 3 Geneva conference.
MANZANARES