SPAIN WILL CONSIDER PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000033 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018 TAGS: KMPI PREL SY SP SUBJECT: SPAIN WILL CONSIDER PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL REF: SECSTATE 171106 Classified By: DCM Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Demarche was delivered to Spanish MFA Near East Director Alberto Ucelay, who said that Spain did not have any plans to make a public statement on behalf of the National Council or the 30 detained Council members. He did ask for a copy of the White House Statement and said that the USG request would receive full consideration. Ucelay noted that FM Moratinos takes a special interest in Syria and conducts regular dialogue with Syrian interlocutors. ¶2. (C) Comment: FM Moratinos believes that he has convinced the Syrians to play a more positive role in Lebanon and that it is counterproductive to place any public pressure on the Syrian leadership. He may be unwilling to make any public statements at this time. With PSOE-government sensitivity in advance of March 9 Spanish national elections, there is a stated reluctance to engage in any issues that might open the government to criticism. End comment. AGUIRRE