Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MADRID1326
2007-07-05 14:45:00
SECRET
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
FOREIGN FIGHTERS/IRAQ: SPAIN SUPPORTS GROUP
how-toVZCZCXRO3823 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHMD #1326 1861445 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 051445Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2942 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0132 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 3947 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0161 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0346 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0172 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0119 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0332 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0180 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0316 RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY 0127 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0215 RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT PRIORITY 0036 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 6031 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0193 RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0025 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 0541 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA PRIORITY 2882
S E C R E T MADRID 001326
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR KATHERINE ALLEN
NEA/I/POL FOR DANA LINNET
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL SY SP IZ
SUBJECT: FOREIGN FIGHTERS/IRAQ: SPAIN SUPPORTS GROUP
DEMARCHE IN PRINCIPLE
REF: STATE 92339
Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T MADRID 001326
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR KATHERINE ALLEN
NEA/I/POL FOR DANA LINNET
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL SY SP IZ
SUBJECT: FOREIGN FIGHTERS/IRAQ: SPAIN SUPPORTS GROUP
DEMARCHE IN PRINCIPLE
REF: STATE 92339
Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) The DCM met with Spanish Political Director Rafael
Dezcallar July 5 to discuss the issue of foreign fighters
transiting Arab nations to join the Al Qaeda insurgency in
Iraq. The DCM stressed that the majority of foreign fighters
were working with Al Qaeda, that Al Qaeda is responsible for
the majority of major mass casualty bombings, and that almost
all of these bombings are perpetrated against civilian
populations to sow terror among Iraqi Shiite populations. He
asked whether Spain would join with the U.S. and European
nations to pressure Arab governments and Pakistan to do
whatever possible to stem the flow of foreign fighters both
through their nations and through Syria.
2. (S) Dezcallar responded that Spain would probably support
any idea that could reduce the ease of travel for terrorists
associated with Al Qaeda. He noted that this was happening
not solely in Iraq, but also in other Arab nations including
Yemen, where a VBIED had just killed 7 Spanish tourists. He
asked for specifics on exactly what we would like from Spain
- would we ask European ambassadors in Arab capitals to join
with U.S. ambassadors in approaching the respective foreign
ministries as a group? DCM said this was the most likely
method, and that we would share the text of a proposed
demarche when possible. DCM also emphasized the need for
everyone to speak with one voice in confronting Syria, noting
that the Syrians could do much more to stop the flow of
foreign fighters by controlling choke points in their
airports and border towns. Such a gesture would improve
Syrian-Iraqi bilateral relations and contribute to overall
stability in Iraq.
3. (S) Dezcallar said that he thought Spain would support
this approach, but he noted that Syria did not care about its
relationship with Iraq. Instead it cared about improving its
relationship with the United States. He said that the pull
aside between Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Moallem had
been a positive step, and he asked whether there had been any
further follow up. He suggested that the EMBASSY follow up
with Director General for Terrorism, Disarmament and
Non-proliferation Angel Lossada to coordinate Spain's
participation.
--------------
Visit EMBASSY Madrid's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/madrid/
--------------
AGUIRRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR KATHERINE ALLEN
NEA/I/POL FOR DANA LINNET
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL SY SP IZ
SUBJECT: FOREIGN FIGHTERS/IRAQ: SPAIN SUPPORTS GROUP
DEMARCHE IN PRINCIPLE
REF: STATE 92339
Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) The DCM met with Spanish Political Director Rafael
Dezcallar July 5 to discuss the issue of foreign fighters
transiting Arab nations to join the Al Qaeda insurgency in
Iraq. The DCM stressed that the majority of foreign fighters
were working with Al Qaeda, that Al Qaeda is responsible for
the majority of major mass casualty bombings, and that almost
all of these bombings are perpetrated against civilian
populations to sow terror among Iraqi Shiite populations. He
asked whether Spain would join with the U.S. and European
nations to pressure Arab governments and Pakistan to do
whatever possible to stem the flow of foreign fighters both
through their nations and through Syria.
2. (S) Dezcallar responded that Spain would probably support
any idea that could reduce the ease of travel for terrorists
associated with Al Qaeda. He noted that this was happening
not solely in Iraq, but also in other Arab nations including
Yemen, where a VBIED had just killed 7 Spanish tourists. He
asked for specifics on exactly what we would like from Spain
- would we ask European ambassadors in Arab capitals to join
with U.S. ambassadors in approaching the respective foreign
ministries as a group? DCM said this was the most likely
method, and that we would share the text of a proposed
demarche when possible. DCM also emphasized the need for
everyone to speak with one voice in confronting Syria, noting
that the Syrians could do much more to stop the flow of
foreign fighters by controlling choke points in their
airports and border towns. Such a gesture would improve
Syrian-Iraqi bilateral relations and contribute to overall
stability in Iraq.
3. (S) Dezcallar said that he thought Spain would support
this approach, but he noted that Syria did not care about its
relationship with Iraq. Instead it cared about improving its
relationship with the United States. He said that the pull
aside between Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Moallem had
been a positive step, and he asked whether there had been any
further follow up. He suggested that the EMBASSY follow up
with Director General for Terrorism, Disarmament and
Non-proliferation Angel Lossada to coordinate Spain's
participation.
--------------
Visit EMBASSY Madrid's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/madrid/
--------------
AGUIRRE