SPAIN ON SYRIA/HIZBALLAH AND POSSIBLE TROOP

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001962

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR LE SY SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN ON SYRIA/HIZBALLAH AND POSSIBLE TROOP
CONTRIBUTION


Classified By: POLOFF Ricardo Zuniga for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C/NF) SUMMARY. The MOD Director General for Defense
Policy told POLOFF on August 3 that, although Spanish FM
Moratinos has said that it is "very premature" to talk about
troop contributions before there is a UNSC resolution, Spain
is likely to contribute 800 or more troops to an
international effort in Lebanon. The press reports that Vice
President Fernandez de la Vega said from Bolivia that the
international community cannot send troops to Lebanon until
there is a ceasefire. Traveling in Lebanon and Syria, FM
Moratinos called for the disarmament of Hizballah and the
deployment of the Lebanese military. He said that Syria had
promised to exert its influence with Hizballah to help
resolve the conflict. Asked whether his visit was an effort
to ease Syria's diplomatic isolation, Moratinos responded
that "it would be good to reestablish dialogue with Syria."
END SUMMARY.

-- SPAIN INCLINED TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS --


2. (C/NF) MOD Director General for Defense Policy General
Benito Raggio reiterated the public comments of FM Moratinos
(and President Zapatero's office) that it is premature to
talk about contributing troops to a peacekeeping force before
there is a UN mandate for such a force. Raggio also noted
the need for Parliamentary approval before the GOS can deploy
troops overseas. Raggio went on to say, unofficially, that
the GOS is inclined to make a contribution. He said that,
considering Lebanon's proximity and Spain's interest in
Mediterranean security, Spain would want to be a part of
whatever solution is created.


3. (C/NF) Raggio noted that Spain currently has about 2200
troops overseas, well within the ceiling of 3000 that the GOS
currently has authorized. (NOTE. Spain intends to withdraw
many of its 500 troops from the EU force in Bosnia, so the
figure of 2200 will drop over the next few months. END NOTE.)
He said that Spain would consider sending 800 or more troops,
including an infantry battalion and support units. Raggio
pointed out that Spain has a battalion currently assigned to
the NATO Response Force that is prepared to deploy within
five days of receiving orders.

-- MORATINOS IN THE MIDDLE EAST --


4. (U) FM Moratinos completed a visit to Lebanon and Syria on
August 3 and was scheduled to return to Madrid August 3.
According to press reporting, Moratinos met with Lebanese PM
Siniora and Lebanese political figures (including Hizballah
representative Nabih Berri),accompanied by the Egyptian and
Jordanian foreign ministers. In this meeting, Moratinos
reportedly called for the disarmament of Hizballah and the
deployment of Lebanese forces to the border area. In Syria,
reports indicate that Moratinos met with Syrian President
Bashar Assad, Vice President Faruk al Share, and Foreign
Minister Walid Moalem. In a press conference before
departing Damascus, Moratinos said he had "asked Syria to
play a constructive role in this very serious situation and
(Syria provided) a positive answer... Syria promised to exert
their influence with Hizballah, but the political and
military context in Lebanon must change." Asked whether his
visit was an effort to ease Syria's diplomatic isolation,
Moratinos responded that "it would be good to reestablish
dialogue with Syria."
AGUIRRE