SPAIN ON SYRIA REFERENDUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001035 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/ELA FOR S. SITA SONTY NEA/PI FOR KENT PATTON DRL/NESCA FOR JOE BARGHOUT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2017 TAGS: KDEM PREL SY SP SUBJECT: SPAIN ON SYRIA REFERENDUM REF: STATE 71071 Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens; reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) POLOFF contacted MFA Subdirector General for the Middle East Alberto Ucelay on 5/25 to relay reftel points, urging Ucelay to issue a statement calling attention to Syria's sham May 27 Presidential Referendum. Ucelay, who had returned that day from Lebanon, acknowledged that Spain did not view the referendum as a democratic process, but said Spain did not intend to issue a statement. Ucelay was uncertain as to whether the EU would issue a statement, but noted that in most cases, Spain would not issue an independent declaration if an EU statement was being contemplated. //COMMENT// ¶2. (C) Spain has taken the lead within the EU to ease Syria's isolation, so it is not surprising that Madrid would not take a forward-leaning position on this issue. Spanish officials do not view the Syrian opposition as representing a significant force for change in Damascus and therefore favor engaging and developing relationships with the current leadership, particularly those they view as more open to reforms (notably the Foreign Minister and the Communications Minister). AGUIRRE