FOREIGN FIGHTERS/IRAQ: SPAIN SUPPORTS GROUP

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