PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE, SPAIN'S VIEWS ON IRAQ, CHINA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 003969

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2014
TAGS: PREL SP EUN
SUBJECT: PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE, SPAIN'S VIEWS ON IRAQ, CHINA,
LIBYA, SUDAN AND NORTH CYPRUS

REF: A. STATE 214023


B. MADRID 3839

C. MADRID 3829

D. MADRID 3937

Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleeen Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. Poloff discussed Iraq, China, Libya,
Sudan, and North Cyprus with Enrique Mora Benavente, MFA Head
of EU Planning, on October 6. Mora Benavente does not expect
that Iraq will be discussed at the GAERC meetings. Spain's
position on the China arms embargo remains unchanged; for
example, a strengthened Code of Conduct would be sufficient
to replace the embargo. The decision has already been made
to lift sanctions and the arms embargo against Libya; the EU
is now working on an appropriate Code of Conduct for Libya.
Spain supports EU efforts helping the African Union in Sudan
and will contribute humanitarian assistance, although there
will be no bilateral contribution to the African Union force.
Although, Spain supports increased economic cooperation with
North Cyprus, only the 259 million euro aid package is likely
to pass, due to Greek and Greek Cypriot opposition. END
SUMMARY

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IRAQ
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2. (C) Mora Benavente said Iraq would not be discussed at
the GAERC meetings. He said the GOS will not contribute as a
member state to the UN Protection Force in Iraq. (FYI:
Spanish Defense Minister Bono had to retract a statement
earlier this week indicating the GOS might send troops to
Iraq under a UN request.) He added that Spain is still
exploring police training options with USD 300 million that
it has pledged towards Iraq, but the situation on the ground
does not allow for cooperation at this moment.

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CHINA ARMS EMBARGO
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3. (C) Spain believes that the Code of Conduct is
sufficient to monitor arms sales to China. EUR/WE Director
Kathleen Allegrone, Charge, and Poloff discussed U.S.
concerns about the EU lifting the Chinese arms embargo while
highlighting human rights concerns in separate meetings with
a variety of Spanish MFA officials September 28-30 (Ref B).
Mora Benavente said that there would be a discussion on
lifting the arms embargo during lunch on October 11, but no
final decision would be made until later. He added that
eventually the arms embargo will be lifted as a political
signal of EU efforts to foster better relations with China,
but that the date could possibly be pushed back if that leads
to increased cooperation with the U.S. and Japan on the issue.

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LIBYAN SANCTIONS
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4. (C) The EU has already decided to announce the full
lifting of sanctions against Libya, including its arms
embargo. The partial lifting of the arms embargo to allow
for border control equipment to stem the flow of illegal
immigration will be the first step of the lifting of the
embargo. Once a Code of Conduct is agreed upon, the full
lifting of sanctions and the arms embargo will take place.
The EU believes that Libya has abandoned its pursuit of
weapons of mass destruction and terrorist activities and is
encouraged by Libya's agreement to settle with the EU victims
of Lockerbie and LaBelle. (For more detail on GOS thinking on
this issue, see Ref C.)

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SUDAN
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5. (C) The GOS supports EU efforts in coordinating with the
Australians and the U.S. to encourage the African Union to
focus on rapid deployment of forces to improve the security
situation in Darfur. Spain will be contributing humanitarian
assistance to the victims in Darfur, but there will be no
bilateral economic assistance outside of any EU efforts to
the African Union force. The GOS concurs with U.S. views on
the dire situation in Darfur, but is waiting for the
conclusions of the commission of inquiry set up by UNSCR 1564
before deciding if the situation in Darfur should be called a
genocide.

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NORTH CYPRUS
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6. (C) Spain is very supportive of extending trade
concessions and financial assistance to the Turkish Cypriots,
but at recent EU meetings both Greece and Cyprus had opposed
increased EU economic ties with North Cyprus, a change
requiring unanimous consent. Mora Benavente said that the
current EU goal is to extend economic assistance now and then
push for trade considerations when the Greeks and Greek
Cypriots are willing. Spain will support the 259 million
euro aid package to North Cyprus when it comes to a vote.
Benavente predicts the EU will approve the aid package,
because an aid package to North Cyprus does not require
unanimous consent (Ref D).
ARGYROS