Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MADRID1080
2006-04-28 11:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: CANDIDACY OF IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO8083 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #1080 1181141 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 281141Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9580 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0805 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0166
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001080
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2012
TAGS: KUNR PHUM PREL UNHRC SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: CANDIDACY OF IRAN
REF: STATE 66050
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELLOR KATHLEEN FITZPATRICK for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001080
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2012
TAGS: KUNR PHUM PREL UNHRC SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: CANDIDACY OF IRAN
REF: STATE 66050
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELLOR KATHLEEN FITZPATRICK for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1.(C) Ambassador Aguirre reached Spanish Foreign Minister by
phone the evening of April 27 (both are traveling outside of
Spain) to convey our expectation that Spain will oppose an
Iranian candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.
Moratinos, attending the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in
Sofia, told the Ambassador that Spain was "on board" with us
and would follow the "EU position." (Note: We presume
Moratinos means Spain will adhere to the EU statement issued
before the vote to establish the new Council which declared
that EU states would not vote for states with records of
human rights violations, though he did not specify this with
the Ambassador).
2. (C) Charge had also conveyed USG views to the chief of
staff of the Spain's Deputy Foreign Minister (who is also
traveling) and asked him to convey US points to the Foreign
Minister and his Deputy, emphasizing our desire for Spain to
support the US position given its strong human rights record
and the importance of having a credible new UN Human Rights
Council. Before the Ambassador's call to Moratinos, we also
discussed the issue at the working level with the Spanish
MFA's Director for Human Rights Affairs, Fernando Fernadez
Arias. Arias said that while the political decision had not
at that time been made, he said he strongly recommended that
Spain vote against Iran and expressed his strong personal
view that Iran would not get Spain's vote nor become a member
of the Council.
FITZPATRICK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2012
TAGS: KUNR PHUM PREL UNHRC SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: CANDIDACY OF IRAN
REF: STATE 66050
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELLOR KATHLEEN FITZPATRICK for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1.(C) Ambassador Aguirre reached Spanish Foreign Minister by
phone the evening of April 27 (both are traveling outside of
Spain) to convey our expectation that Spain will oppose an
Iranian candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.
Moratinos, attending the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in
Sofia, told the Ambassador that Spain was "on board" with us
and would follow the "EU position." (Note: We presume
Moratinos means Spain will adhere to the EU statement issued
before the vote to establish the new Council which declared
that EU states would not vote for states with records of
human rights violations, though he did not specify this with
the Ambassador).
2. (C) Charge had also conveyed USG views to the chief of
staff of the Spain's Deputy Foreign Minister (who is also
traveling) and asked him to convey US points to the Foreign
Minister and his Deputy, emphasizing our desire for Spain to
support the US position given its strong human rights record
and the importance of having a credible new UN Human Rights
Council. Before the Ambassador's call to Moratinos, we also
discussed the issue at the working level with the Spanish
MFA's Director for Human Rights Affairs, Fernando Fernadez
Arias. Arias said that while the political decision had not
at that time been made, he said he strongly recommended that
Spain vote against Iran and expressed his strong personal
view that Iran would not get Spain's vote nor become a member
of the Council.
FITZPATRICK