SPAIN'S VIEWS ON WESTERN SAHARA AND THE MANHASSET

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000561 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2018 TAGS: PREL MO AG WI UNSC SP SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON WESTERN SAHARA AND THE MANHASSET PROCESS REF: (A) STATE 49768 (B) MADRID 485 Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Spanish MFA Deputy Director General for North Africa Manuel Gomez-Acebo received reftel (A) demarche and reiterated Spain's views detailed in reftel (b). Gomez-Acebo agreed that it is important to maintain the primacy of UNSYG Representative for Western Sahara Peter Van Walsum's efforts. ¶2. (C) With regard to Morocco's interest in opening a second track with the Polisario, Gomez-Acebo asked,"why would they open a second track when they have no strong incentives and the second track could be a distraction?" He agreed strongly that Morocco needed to consider specific measures aimed at improving human rights conditions on the ground. He also agreed that Morocco must find a mutually-acceptable mechanism to facilitate overland family visits during the next round of talks. Aguirre