SPAIN REITERATES COMMITMENT TO UNSC SANCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000598 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL PINR IR SP SUBJECT: SPAIN REITERATES COMMITMENT TO UNSC SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTATION DURING UNVIE AMBASSADOR SCHULTE VISIT MADRID 00000598 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) UNVIE Ambassador Gregory Schulte visited Madrid May 19-21 to raise the awareness of GOS officials and the public regarding the threat posed by the ongoing Iranian nuclear weapons program. Schulte briefed MFA Political Director Rafael Dezcallar, MFA Director General for the Middle East Alvaro Iranzo, PSOE Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs (and close Zapatero advisor) Elena Valenciano, Spanish Ambassador for Non-Proliferation Affairs Antonio Nunez Garcia-Sauco and Spanish Ambassador to Iran Leopoldo Stampa. Schulte conducted a roundtable discussion at the independent Institute of International Matters and External Policy (INCIPE) and met with Alberto Carnero, Director of International Policy, at the conservative party-affiliated Foundation for Analysis and Regional Studies (FAES). Schulte held a well-attended media briefing and participated in a representational event at the Charge's residence that included a wide range of academics, NGO directors, diplomats, and Spanish government officials. ¶2. (C) MFA Political Director Rafael Dezcallar insisted that Spain was fully committed to zealous implementation of UN sanctions and was favorable to adding additional EU sanctions. He did note that Spain wanted to make sure that these additional sanctions would be functional and send the right message to Tehran. Asked about some indications that the Spanish might be slowing down the process in Brussels, Dezcallar said that Spain was actively working to determine what next steps would be most effective and that the Italians were foot dragging on additional sanctions. "In a discreet way, we send messages to political actors urging dialogue; we believe it has a concrete, positive effect apart from sanctions," Dezcallar elaborated. Zapatero advisor Elena Valenciano said that she, "didn't know where the disconnect was in Brussels," and would check on Spain's implementation of the UNSC resolutions. "Moratinos emphasizes dialogue and diplomacy," she said, "but we do not intend to slow down implementation." ¶3. (C) During a roundtable discussion, Spanish Ambassador to Iran Leopoldo Stampa offered his analysis that a regional diplomatic solution was necessary since "Iranians don't respond to technical or legal arguments." In his view, Iran sought prestige and acknowledgment as a world power, as well as security given its concerns about Pakistan and other neighbors. Stampa said that tough sanctions only confirm centuries of Iranian suspicion that foreigners threaten to destroy the Iranian state. He also argued that sanctions are not effective with government decision makers and only cause suffering among the ordinary citizens. Suffering only strengthens Iranian resolve, since as another roundtable participant mentioned, "they relish martyrdom as part of a persecution mentality." Iran also points to perceived UNSC hypocrisy dictating access to nuclear technologies when UK and US weapons systems have been updated and India is not a NPT signatory yet it receives technical assistance. According to Stampa, Iran believes that instead of a legal and straight forward application of standards, favoritism is at play in UNSC determinations. ¶4. (C) In response, Schulte pointed out that the incentives package addressed Iranian concerns about security, prestige, and technological advances as related to economic development. At the same time, Iran must receive a clear message that if it continues on its current path, it risks condemnation and isolation. Negotiations with the P5 plus one offer real opportunities for Iran to address its concerns. Nuclear weapons capability will not make Iran more secure, respected, or economically successful. Iranian security and influence will increase through engagement with the international community. With regard to sanctions activities, Schulte detailed the ways that sanctions do impact Iranian government decision makers, since they care about prestige and possible isolation. The targeted sanctions focus on material and equipment specific to enrichment activities, as well as individual entities and banks. While sanctions have not yet changed the Iranian government stance, they have created an impact at all levels. Sanctions are not perfect, but are a useful tool. Addressing Stampa's remark about perceived UNSC hypocrisy, Schulte pointed out that the U.S. had not built a single new nuclear weapon and was actively dismantling its stockpile; in fact, was increasing the pace of stock destruction, as Russia and China also undertook significant reductions in their stockpiles. Iran is conveniently ignoring the reality that other countries are drawing down at this time. MADRID 00000598 002.2 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Embassy will continue to coordinate closely with USEU and UNVIE, working the issue with the Foreign Ministry and Zapatero's national security team as necessary. As detailed in other reporting, Spanish oil company REPSOL's decision to back out of the South Pars gas project is a good example that Spain understands there is more to do than just a narrow application of the UN sanctions. ¶6. (U) BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR LEOPOLDO STAMPA PINEIRO - Spanish Ambassador to Iran On April 30, 2008, Leopoldo Stampa Pineiro was appointed Spain's Ambassador to Iran. He also served as Ambassador to Iran from October 2000 until June 2004. From June 2004 to November 2006, Stampa served as Director General of Institutional Relations of the Ministry of Defense. From November 2006 until April 2008, Stampa served as an advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. His other assignments include: July 1998 - 2000: Director of the Spanish Diplomatic School February 1997 - 1998: Consul in Houston, Texas 1994 - 1996: Director General for North America and Europe at the Spanish MFA 1992 - 1994: Ambassador to the CSCE in Vienna, working on negotiations about the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe 1989 - 1992: Ambassador to Indonesia (with co-accreditation to Singapore as of 1990) 1986-1989: Diplomatic Advisor to Defense Minister Narcis Serra 1985: Chief of Cabinet to Under Secretary for Foreign Policy at the Spanish MFA 1982-1985: First Secretary in the Spanish Mission to NATO 1979- 1982: Served in three different positions in the Eastern European, Security and Atlantic Affairs Divisions of the Spanish MFA 1977 - 1979: Served in Spanish Embassy in Budapest 1976: Joined Spanish Foreign Service Stampa has a law degree and studied military history. He was born in Valladolid in 1949. Aguirre