Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MADRID1361
2007-07-13 06:34:00
SECRET
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN: MFA WILL LOOK AT FOREIGN FIGHTERS DEMARCHE
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S E C R E T MADRID 001361
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/ERA FOR SHAWN GRAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: MFA WILL LOOK AT FOREIGN FIGHTERS DEMARCHE
TO SARG
REF: A. STATE 92339
B. MADRID 1328
C. MADRID 1326
D. EUR/ERA E-MAIL JULY 10
Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T MADRID 001361
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/ERA FOR SHAWN GRAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: MFA WILL LOOK AT FOREIGN FIGHTERS DEMARCHE
TO SARG
REF: A. STATE 92339
B. MADRID 1328
C. MADRID 1326
D. EUR/ERA E-MAIL JULY 10
Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) This message contains an action request. Please see
para. 4.
2. (S) Poloff met with Spanish MFA Deputy Director General
for Terrorism Miguel Garcia-Herraiz on July 11 to share
talking points on a potential Spanish demarche to Arab
governments on stemming the flow of foreign fighters into
Iraq (Ref. A). Refs B and C detail Embassy high-level
engagement on this issue, securing agreement in principal
from Spanish National Security advisor Carles Casajuana and
MFA Political Director Rafael Dezcallar. Garcia-Herraiz said
that the U.S. appraisal of the situation appeared to
correspond with EU analysis, and that encouraging the SARG to
do more was a good idea. He noted that some of the concrete
measures suggested by USG (Ref. D) would represent a pretty
tall order for the SARG, but he agreed with the general
thrust. He pointed out that EU governments are keenly aware
that foreign fighters are leaving Europe for Iraq as well,
and he referenced the recent arrest of four individuals in
Catalonia accused of conducting terrorist recruitment.
Nevertheless, he said, the Islamists were still getting
through to Iraq. He added that the Spanish are seeing an
increasing flow into the Maghreb as opposed to or in addition
to Iraq.
3. (S) Garcia-Herraiz said that Foreign Minister Moratinos
"will be visiting the region soon, which might be a good
opportunity." He asked whether Embassy could provide
information on which if any Arab governments had individually
agreed to approach the SARG. He also asked whether USG could
provide more detail about which specific Arab nationalities
were most commonly transiting Syria, noting that for
Kuwaitis, Saudis, and Jordanians it seemed unnecessary.
Garcia-Herraiz undertook to provide a response to the Embassy
within coming days, but he asked for clarification on the two
points before Spain goes forward to the SARG.
4. (S) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department,s guidance
on potential involvement of FM Moratinos directly with
Damascus. We do not want to discourage GOS support for our
efforts to work with regional governments to stem the flow of
foreign fighters to Iraq, but we are also mindful of the need
to avoid allowing Moratinos - who perceives himself as having
a special role in the Middle East - to portray himself as an
intermediary between the U.S. and the SARG. Request response
soonest since Moratinos, regional travel appears to be
imminent. END ACTION REQUEST.
--------------
Visit Embassy Madrid's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/madrid/
--------------
AGUIRRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/ERA FOR SHAWN GRAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: MFA WILL LOOK AT FOREIGN FIGHTERS DEMARCHE
TO SARG
REF: A. STATE 92339
B. MADRID 1328
C. MADRID 1326
D. EUR/ERA E-MAIL JULY 10
Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) This message contains an action request. Please see
para. 4.
2. (S) Poloff met with Spanish MFA Deputy Director General
for Terrorism Miguel Garcia-Herraiz on July 11 to share
talking points on a potential Spanish demarche to Arab
governments on stemming the flow of foreign fighters into
Iraq (Ref. A). Refs B and C detail Embassy high-level
engagement on this issue, securing agreement in principal
from Spanish National Security advisor Carles Casajuana and
MFA Political Director Rafael Dezcallar. Garcia-Herraiz said
that the U.S. appraisal of the situation appeared to
correspond with EU analysis, and that encouraging the SARG to
do more was a good idea. He noted that some of the concrete
measures suggested by USG (Ref. D) would represent a pretty
tall order for the SARG, but he agreed with the general
thrust. He pointed out that EU governments are keenly aware
that foreign fighters are leaving Europe for Iraq as well,
and he referenced the recent arrest of four individuals in
Catalonia accused of conducting terrorist recruitment.
Nevertheless, he said, the Islamists were still getting
through to Iraq. He added that the Spanish are seeing an
increasing flow into the Maghreb as opposed to or in addition
to Iraq.
3. (S) Garcia-Herraiz said that Foreign Minister Moratinos
"will be visiting the region soon, which might be a good
opportunity." He asked whether Embassy could provide
information on which if any Arab governments had individually
agreed to approach the SARG. He also asked whether USG could
provide more detail about which specific Arab nationalities
were most commonly transiting Syria, noting that for
Kuwaitis, Saudis, and Jordanians it seemed unnecessary.
Garcia-Herraiz undertook to provide a response to the Embassy
within coming days, but he asked for clarification on the two
points before Spain goes forward to the SARG.
4. (S) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department,s guidance
on potential involvement of FM Moratinos directly with
Damascus. We do not want to discourage GOS support for our
efforts to work with regional governments to stem the flow of
foreign fighters to Iraq, but we are also mindful of the need
to avoid allowing Moratinos - who perceives himself as having
a special role in the Middle East - to portray himself as an
intermediary between the U.S. and the SARG. Request response
soonest since Moratinos, regional travel appears to be
imminent. END ACTION REQUEST.
--------------
Visit Embassy Madrid's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/madrid/
--------------
AGUIRRE