SPAIN: URGING PA AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ABBAS ON

UNCLAS MADRID 003642 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SP SUBJECT: SPAIN: URGING PA AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ABBAS ON GAZA DISENGAGEMENT REF: STATE 189905 ¶1. (SBU) Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos intends to reinforce the Quartet message and points similar to those in reftel to PA Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during Abbas' October 18-19 visit to Madrid, according to MFA Director for the Middle East and Africa Alvarro Iranzo. Iranzo said Moratinos plans to underscore the need to take action to dismantle armed groups which undermine rule of law. He added that Moratinos took every opportunity, incuding most recently publicly in Tunis, to underscore the need to for an end to violence and the need for "one law, one authority and one 'legal monopoly' on armed force." Iranzo noted that the Quartet statement contained several messages, including the need for both sides to fulfill their responsibilities. Polcouns responded that indeed that is part of the overall message, as we look for opportunities to capitalize on Gaza disengagement. ¶2. (SBU) In his on-going dialogue with Abbas and the Palestinians (including in a meeting 5 weeks ago),Moratinos makes clear that the two Intifadas were failures and that violence is not only criminal, but counter-productive to the Palestinian cause, Iranzo said. Iranzo also underscored to Polcouns the need for PA security forces force to have all of the material means they need to respond to and control radical armed groups, adding that Israeli actions have at times prevented them from obtaining needed equipment. Nonetheless, Iranzo said Spain has been very active in supporting Palestinian security forces and said he believes General Ward is very happy with Spanish assistance, which is delivered on a bilateral basis and through EUCOPS, where Spanish experts are assisting the Palestinians in restructuring their security forces. ¶3. (SBU) Iranzo said that Abbas needs some margin of maneuver and has to be careful as he seeks to restrain armed groups not to spark a civil war among the Palestinians. However, the need to give him a margin of maneuverability "has an expiration date" and he needs to take action. ¶4. (SBU) Iranzo undertook to brief Polcouns after Abbas' two-day visit, in which Abbas will meet with Moratinos and with Spanish King Juan Carlos. AGUIRRE