Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MADRID224
2008-02-28 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN INTERESTED IN SOMALIA PIRACY UNSCR
VZCZCXRO9925 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #0224 0591538 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281538Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4357 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 0095 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0240 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA PRIORITY 3332 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0420
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000224
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/E
AF/RSA FOR JUN BANDO
IO/UNP FOR JOE FITZGERALD
EEB/TRA/OTP
OES/OA
L/OES FOR ASH ROACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: KCRM PBTS PREL EFIS UN UNSC IMO XA XW SO SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN INTERESTED IN SOMALIA PIRACY UNSCR
REF: STATE 18101
Classified By: Acting DCM Josie Shumake for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000224
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/E
AF/RSA FOR JUN BANDO
IO/UNP FOR JOE FITZGERALD
EEB/TRA/OTP
OES/OA
L/OES FOR ASH ROACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: KCRM PBTS PREL EFIS UN UNSC IMO XA XW SO SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN INTERESTED IN SOMALIA PIRACY UNSCR
REF: STATE 18101
Classified By: Acting DCM Josie Shumake for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Spanish MFA
Deputy Director General for Sub-Saharan Africa Antonio
Sanchez-Benedito on February 27. Sanchez-Benedito thanked
Poloff and expressed Spain's serious interest in a possible
UNSCR on Somali piracy for two reasons. First, as a nation
particularly threatened by international terrorism, Spain
does not want continued lawlessness in Somalia to allow it to
become a perpetual safe haven for terrorist groups. Second,
Spain has a significant number of tuna vessels fishing in
international waters off the Horn of Africa, a couple of
which have come under attack by Somali pirates.
Sanchez-Benedito said that these boats are mostly based in
the Seychelles and do not spend all of their time near
Somalia, but the fleets have expressed growing concern for
their safety in international waters.
2. (C) Sanchez-Benedito said he would pass the information
around the ministry; he asked whether the U.S. could share a
draft text for a resolution. He also added that Spain could
be willing to demarche Security Council members if necessary.
Finally, he cautioned that this issue would probably not
draw highest-level GOS interest at present, given the
proximity of the March 9 Spanish elections.
AGUIRRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/E
AF/RSA FOR JUN BANDO
IO/UNP FOR JOE FITZGERALD
EEB/TRA/OTP
OES/OA
L/OES FOR ASH ROACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: KCRM PBTS PREL EFIS UN UNSC IMO XA XW SO SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN INTERESTED IN SOMALIA PIRACY UNSCR
REF: STATE 18101
Classified By: Acting DCM Josie Shumake for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Spanish MFA
Deputy Director General for Sub-Saharan Africa Antonio
Sanchez-Benedito on February 27. Sanchez-Benedito thanked
Poloff and expressed Spain's serious interest in a possible
UNSCR on Somali piracy for two reasons. First, as a nation
particularly threatened by international terrorism, Spain
does not want continued lawlessness in Somalia to allow it to
become a perpetual safe haven for terrorist groups. Second,
Spain has a significant number of tuna vessels fishing in
international waters off the Horn of Africa, a couple of
which have come under attack by Somali pirates.
Sanchez-Benedito said that these boats are mostly based in
the Seychelles and do not spend all of their time near
Somalia, but the fleets have expressed growing concern for
their safety in international waters.
2. (C) Sanchez-Benedito said he would pass the information
around the ministry; he asked whether the U.S. could share a
draft text for a resolution. He also added that Spain could
be willing to demarche Security Council members if necessary.
Finally, he cautioned that this issue would probably not
draw highest-level GOS interest at present, given the
proximity of the March 9 Spanish elections.
AGUIRRE