SPANISH FM MORATINOS ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002304 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV YI SP SUBJECT: SPANISH FM MORATINOS ON KOSOVO REF: MADRID 2247 Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION HUGO LLORENS, REASONS 1.4B AND D . ¶1. (C) The December 27 Spanish press carried an interview with Former President Jose Maria Aznar in which Aznar asserted Kosovo's independence would have pernicious consequences for Europe. He said Spain had not participated in NATO operations in the Balkans in order to create an independent Kosovo but rather to guarantee stability and prevent ethnic cleansing. ¶2. (C) At dinner with the Ambassador and DCM December 27, FM Moratinos criticized Aznar, saying the former President (from the opposition Popular Party or PP) was merely trying to embarrass the governing socialist party (PSOE). Moratinos said Aznar was making it more difficult for the government to stay the course in Kosovo. Nevertheless, Moratinos repeated what he said he had told the Secretary: while Spain will not take the lead on Kosovo, it will stand with the EU. He noted Spanish domestic political concerns were the main factor. Moratinos said it would be easier for the government if Kosovo's declaration of independence came after the March 9 Spanish general elections. He implied Spain might be more forward-leaning on the subject of Kosovo if the event were delayed until then. AGUIRRE