SPANISH OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SYRIA BORDER PLAN, NOTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001802

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN SP SY IS LE
SUBJECT: SPANISH OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SYRIA BORDER PLAN, NOTE
U.S. CONCERNS

REF: A. STATE 128335

B. STATE 125650

C. MADRID 1499

Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Spanish DG for the Mideast, Mediterranean
and Africa Alvaro Iranzo told DCM September 13 that Spain had
received generally positive EU feedback to its non-paper on a
Syrian border force, noting that certain EU members,
including the French, had expressed a desire to wait until
after the Lebanese elections to pursue such a force. Iranzo
said the initiative was a product of FM Moratinos' travel to
Syria and Lebanon in early August, in which he received a
favorable response from Syria on increased EU involvement.
Spain thinks the EU should do everything possible to make an
ambitious and comprehensive proposal to the SARG, essentially
calling its bluff. Iranzo said that the SARG was open to EU
technical assistance and monitoring, and he noted that such a
long border could not be controlled without it. Iranzo said
that the SARG had made "positive signals" about establishing
diplomatic relations with Lebanon, defining the border, and
resolving the Shebaa Farms dispute. The DCM emphasized USG
support for the mission in principal, but underscored that
such a mission must not be a reward to Syria for violating
UNSCR's and meddling in Lebanon. On the elections, Iranzo
said that Spain supports the goal of a national unity
government that avoids constitutional pitfalls. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) The DCM met with Alvaro Iranzo, Director General for
the Mideast, Mediterranean and Africa on September 13 to
discuss Spain's proposed EU monitoring mission on the
Syria-Lebanon border (reftel). The DCM emphasized USG
support for the mission in principal, but underscored that
such a mission must not be a reward to Syria for violating
UNSCR's and meddling in Lebanon. The DCM also cautioned that
such an initiative should not serve as a distraction from the
essential electoral processes ongoing in Lebanon (ref B).


3. (C) Iranzo replied that the GOS was in complete agreement
regarding the elections in Lebanon and on the need for
stability, with a consensus "unity government" that would
eliminate the need for conflicting and/or dubious
constitutional interpretations. He said this was the message
Moratinos brought to Lebanon during his visit in early August
(ref C).


4. (C) According to Iranzo, Spain's Gymnich proposal for an
EU monitoring mission sprung from Moratinos' discussions in
Syria in August, in which Moratinos had pressed the SARG to
do more in controlling its borders, with respect not only to
Lebanon but also Iraq and Palestine. Iranzo said that the
SARG had made "positive signals" with regards to Shebaa farms
and their willingness to facilitate the neutralization of the
issue if Israel would go along, thus eliminating one of
Hizballah's chief grievances. The SARG also responded
positively about establishing diplomatic relations with
Lebanon and permanently defining the border. When the SARG
expressed openness to an EU presence and technical assistance
along the border, Iranzo said Moratinos determined that the
EU should call the bluff by putting together an ambitious,
comprehensive plan. Iranzo noted that technical assistance
might be considered a reward to the SARG, but the chance to
define and control the border was a worthwhile opportunity
for Lebanon, the EU and the U.S. as well. EU engagement with
Syria could also help to break some of the ties between Syria
and Iran.


5. (C) The DCM pressed Iranzo on how the proposal was
received by EU partners, and Iranzo replied that there was
unanimous recognition of the usefulness of the objective,
although certain members, including the French, had privately
expressed concern that the timing was not right for such an
initiative so close to the Lebanese elections. Iranzo
dismissed this by saying that the process would not move
forward in time to impact the elections; he said the idea was
like a snowball rolled down a hill that could eventually grow
into a real mission.
AGUIRRE