SPAIN ON HOSTAGE TAKING AND MURDER IN IRAQ

UNCLAS MADRID 002991 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER IZ SP SUBJECT: SPAIN ON HOSTAGE TAKING AND MURDER IN IRAQ REF: STATE 166182 (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points encouraging Spain to condemn publicly recent terrorism and hostage taking in Iraq on August 5 to Ignacio de Cartagena, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Director of Middle Eastern Affairs at the Spanish Foreign Ministry. De Cartagena is covering for the leadership in the MFA on Middle East/Iraq issues during the summer holiday period. De Cartagena told us in general terms that Spain condemns terrorism and terrorist tactics everywhere. He also acknowledged that public executions and murder in Iraq were a threat to the reconstruction and democracy building. Offering no further substantive comments, de Cartagena told poloff that he would convey our points to more senior leadership. We intend to continue press these points to more senior officials as opportunities arise. We understand A/S Burns may phone FM Moratinos in the near future, and suggest he raise this issue if the call takes place. MANZANARES