SPAIN: RESPONSE TO SECOND ROUND OF UKRAINIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 004444

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CIS COLLECTIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EU SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: RESPONSE TO SECOND ROUND OF UKRAINIAN
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

REF: STATE 240442

Classified By: Political Officer Ricardo Zuniga.
Reason 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Poloffs met with the MFA desk officer for Russia and
Eastern European affairs, Marta Ruiz, November 16 to
encourage Spain's participation in election monitoring during
the second round of the Ukrainian presidential election on
November 21 and to hear GOS views on imposing visa
restrictions on Ukrainian officials who have engaged in
electoral fraud or manipulation (reftel). Ruiz told us that
Spain agrees that the previous election round did not meet
international standards. She added that although the GOS
would like to see the OSCE augment its international election
observer presence for the second round, Spain does not plan
to send observers. Ruiz explained that Spain is currently
resolving legal differences with the OSCE over funding for
Spanish participation in OSCE election observer missions.
She added that the GOS expects this issue to be resolved in
the coming months so that Spanish OSCE members can
participate in future missions.


2. (C) On the issue of visa bans against Ukrainian
officials involved in electoral fraud, Ruiz told poloffs that
because Spain is a party to the Schengen visa agreements, it
cannot introduce a travel ban without the approval of all
Schengen members. She added that any travel restrictions
would have to be discussed within the EU and would not have
an immediate effect on prohibiting the travel of Ukrainian
officials who are found to have engaged in electoral fraud.
ARGYROS