SPAIN'S VIEW ON BOSNIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001140 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE MIKE FOOKS AND ANNA STINCHCOMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2018 TAGS: PGOV EU SP BK SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEW ON BOSNIA REF: STATE 113894 Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Spanish MFA Deputy European Correspondent Maria Luisa Benitez Donoso on October ¶29. Benitez said that Bosnia may come up at the November GAERC, but given that this month's meeting is a "JUMBO GAERC," it is more likely to be discussed in December. ¶2. (C) Benitez agreed that Bosnia is moving in the wrong direction and needs renewed EU focus. What is most important for the GOS, according to Benitez, is Bosnia's internal stability. Although the GOS is still developing its position, Benitez said that the GOS is likely to support the "carrot" of EU candidacy status rather than the implementation of punitive measures. She said that the GOS is not pleased with the current situation and is discussing internally the OHR objectives and incentives which could encourage completion of the objectives. Despite the Republika Srpska (RS) Prime Minister Dodik's recent efforts to weaken the Bosnian state and Spain's sensitivity to separatist states, it is too early, Benitez said, to consider measures against the RS or RS government officials. AGUIRRE