Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MADRID1060
2008-10-07 06:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
how-toVZCZCXRO9900 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #1060 2810655 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 070655Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5411 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001060
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
REF: A. STATE 105796
B. MADRID 956
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION ARNOLD A. CHACON, REASONS 1.4B,
D.
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001060
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
REF: A. STATE 105796
B. MADRID 956
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION ARNOLD A. CHACON, REASONS 1.4B,
D.
1. (C) Deputy Chief of Mission Chacon spoke October 6 with
Spanish MFA Director General for Europe and North America
Luis Felipe Fernandez de la Pena to inform him of the U.S.
intention to vote against Serbia's ICJ resolution regarding
Kosovo. Fernandez de la Pena suggested Spain, which had been
planning to abstain, might be leaning toward supporting the
resolution. Fernandez de la Pena said the Serbs were looking
for time and space as they sought to draw closer to Europe
and were trying to isolate radical elements. He described
such a move as "wise" noting the breakup of Yugoslavia was
still fresh and some (he mentioned the Croatian FM) were
concerned about Serbia's stability. By asking for an ICJ
opinion that would hopefully be slow in coming, Serbia was
buying time.
2. (C) Fernandez de la Pena said there was no common EU
position as yet but Spain hoped one would emerge. Fernandez
de la Pena said Spain was not concerned that the Serbian
resolution set any precedent regarding Spain's own domestic
regional issues. He then reiterated Spain's position that
Kosovo in general set no precedents for Spain.
AGUIRRE
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
REF: A. STATE 105796
B. MADRID 956
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION ARNOLD A. CHACON, REASONS 1.4B,
D.
1. (C) Deputy Chief of Mission Chacon spoke October 6 with
Spanish MFA Director General for Europe and North America
Luis Felipe Fernandez de la Pena to inform him of the U.S.
intention to vote against Serbia's ICJ resolution regarding
Kosovo. Fernandez de la Pena suggested Spain, which had been
planning to abstain, might be leaning toward supporting the
resolution. Fernandez de la Pena said the Serbs were looking
for time and space as they sought to draw closer to Europe
and were trying to isolate radical elements. He described
such a move as "wise" noting the breakup of Yugoslavia was
still fresh and some (he mentioned the Croatian FM) were
concerned about Serbia's stability. By asking for an ICJ
opinion that would hopefully be slow in coming, Serbia was
buying time.
2. (C) Fernandez de la Pena said there was no common EU
position as yet but Spain hoped one would emerge. Fernandez
de la Pena said Spain was not concerned that the Serbian
resolution set any precedent regarding Spain's own domestic
regional issues. He then reiterated Spain's position that
Kosovo in general set no precedents for Spain.
AGUIRRE