SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES

UNCLAS MADRID 001576

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PREL SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES
ELECTION STANDARDS INITIATIVE

REF: STATE 71941

Poloff discussed Secretary Rice's concept paper, "Developing
Election Standards and Assessment Mechanisms for the
Community of Democracies," with Carlos Fernandez-Arias,
Special Assistant to Rafael Dezcallar, MFA Director General
for Foreign Policy, on April 21. Poloff told Fernandez-Arias
that the Election Standards Initiative was a priority of
Secretary Rice and that the USG was seeking support for the

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idea and approval for a working group on the proposal at the
Community of Democracies Ministerial in Santiago April 28-30.
Poloff asked Fernandez-Arias to make Dezcallar and Foreign
Minister Moratinos aware of Secretary Rice's desire for
Spain's support. Fernandez-Arias said Spain was interested
in the proposal and he would circulate the paper within the
MFA and to senior leadership. Fernandez-Arias also asked
Poloff if the U.S. had made a statement regarding the recent
crisis in Ecuador. Poloff sent Fernandez-Arias information
from the "Washington File" that included statements by
Secretary Rice and the White House on the current situation

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in Ecuador. We will continue to pursue this matter with MFA
leadership.
MANZANARES