SPAIN'S VIEWS ON THE WAY FORWARD IN WESTERN SAHARA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000485 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2018 TAGS: PBTS MO AG WI UNSC SP SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON THE WAY FORWARD IN WESTERN SAHARA REF: STATE 43370 Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Deputy Director General for North Africa Manuel Gomez-Acebo shared views on the way forward in Western Sahara on April 28. Gomez-Acebo said that Spain's primary concern is for regional stability through a negotiated solution that leads to a just, lasting outcome. While it appears an independent Western Sahara is not a realistic option, he said, "we worry that excess pressure on the Polisario will lead to a total breakdown in the process, and the process itself serves a purpose in keeping the parties engaged. " In addition, he believed that Van Walsum may have endangered his role as the UNSYG Special Envoy. Given that Van Walsum's report could be viewed by the other parties as biased towards the Moroccan position, Van Walsum may have limited his ability to broker negotiations in the future. ¶2. (C) Gomez-Acebo recounted his understanding of a recent attempt to hold a 50th anniversary remembering a 1958 cooperative meeting when newly independent Tunisia and Morocco attempted to help Algeria. He heard that the anniversary session, hosted by Morocco, ended in animosity as insults were reportedly traded across the conference table. With yet another example of counter-productive Magreb bickering, Gomez-Acebo believed that Algeria and the Polisario would reflexively counter any proposal perceived as pro-Moroccan. Gomez-Acebo reflected that , in North African culture, compromise was not seen as a positive outcome and any benefit to another was considered a personal loss. Given the current tension between Algeria and Morocco, he was not optimistic that Van Walsum's report or recommendations would be considered favorably. ¶3. (C) Morocco's proposal would only move forward if it displayed more consideration for Polisario and Algeria, he said, and, "gestures are needed from the Moroccans to build confidence and trust -- they need to do more in terms of demonstration permits, family visitation, human rights promotion, and transparent administration. Another element in moving forward, in Spain's view, is getting Polisario to think more broadly about autonomy as a concept apart from the Moroccan proposal. "This realism you talk about is fine, but it runs counter to the 'genetic makeup' of Polisario members who grew up thinking their entire being must be devoted to Sahrawi liberation," Gomez-Acebo added. He did not think it was realistic that the Van Walsum report would spark any new developments; it could take years for mind-sets to evolve. He also emphasized that the international community must demonstrate clearly the incentives for Polisario. ¶4. (C) In response a comment that we are open to discussions with Polisario representatives to consider suggestions for constructive ways to move the process forward, Gomez-Acebo stressed again that excess pressure on Polisario might lead to a total breakdown in talks. He expressed skepticism that Polisario would engage positively in any side-bar discussions apart from the "process" and cautioned that Polisario might not opt to continue the Manhasset negotiations . ¶5. (C) EMBASSY COMMENT: President Zapatero has recently tasked FM Moratinos with reinvigorating engagement with North Africa, particularly with regard to migration and security cooperation. While Moratinos is currently on a regional swing through Latin America, it is anticipated that he will travel to North Africa in the near future and will engage on Western Sahara with the parties. It appears that Spain is not likely to support any position that it views as "exerting pressure" on any of the parties. What we view as positive encouragement to move forward, they are inclined to view as excess pressure that might derail negotiations. END COMMENT. Llorens