SPANISH RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR

UNCLAS MADRID 000646 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAL PREF SP SUBJECT: SPANISH RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE FOR UNRWA REF: STATE 29074 We delivered reftel demarche to Inigo de Palacio, MFA Director of UN Affairs, on February 12. De Palacio said he could not give a response at that time, but would pursue the issue within the MFA. On February 24, he informed us that apart from the current year's commitment of roughly 3 million Euros, the MFA could not provide further funding, as their current year budget is closed. The MFA will begin reviewing future projects and contributions in late March. De Palacio said he had also contacted the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation regarding possible funding, but that they fund only specific projects, and could not make general contributions to relief programs. MANZANARES