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