SPAIN GENERALLY SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002139

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2016
TAGS: PREL UN PGOV EU SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN GENERALLY SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON KOSOVO

REF: STATE 59894

Classified By: A/DCM Kathleen Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to MFA Sub-Director
General for Central Europe and the Balkans Raul Fuentes
Milani on August 25. Fuentes Milani said that Spain mostly
supports the U.S. approach to Kosovo. He made the following
comments during the discussion of the reftel points:

-- It is more important to reach a quality agreement than it
is to simply meet a deadline. If a quality agreement can be
negotiated by the end of 2006, so much the better. However,
Spain supports taking more time, if needed.

-- Spain is pleased that the U.S. is committed to remaining
engaged in Kosovo militarily through the KFOR. He said this
is very important to Spain.

-- Spain "shares completely" the shape of the outcome as
stated in the reftel points.

-- On Belgrade's role, Spain is also very worried about
further radicalization within Serbian politics. Fuentes
Milani pointed out that the U.S. can "count on Spain" to use
its contacts with Serbian officials to urge them to begin
engaging more constructively in the negotiations.

-- Fuentes Milani said he will use reftel's request for
increased assistance to Kosovar Serbs to press the case
within his government for additional assistance for Kosovo.
Spain supports Kosovo monetarily though European Union
efforts.

-- Spain wants to be represented in any kind of international
advisory board on Kosovo. Fuentes Milani cited the example of
Bosnia and said after 14 years and $2 billion, Spain should
be -- but is not/not -- represented on the international
advisory board on Bosnia. Spain wants U.S. support on being
included in a future advisory board on Kosovo.
AGUIRRE