SPANISH VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF JUNE GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000670 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN SP SUBJECT: SPANISH VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF JUNE GAERC REF: STATE 62450 MADRID 00000670 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Classified By: A/DCM James Dudley for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Poloff delivered GAERC demarche points to Spanish MFA Deputy Political Director Carlos Fernandez-Arias on June 12. Fernandez-Arias said that the GAERC would address the Western Balkans, Iran, Lebanon, MEPP, Cuba, Somalia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, but not Iraq, Chad, Belarus, Georgia or Central Asia. END SUMMARY. //BALKANS// ¶2. (C) Fernandez-Arias reiterated that Spain was pleased with the results of the Serbian elections and believed that EU influence had achieved the desired results. He indicated that the EU would encourage and support the continued formation of democratic governance and specifically the election of reformists who would move the country in a European direction. ¶3. (C) Fernandez-Arias indicated that Kosovo would be discussed at the June 19 dinner, after the June 15 constitution was signed and clear direction was received from the UN. He indicated that Spain fully supported UN efforts and was looking forward to the "possibility" of the legal transfer of UNMIK to EULEX. According to Fernandez-Arias, the transfer would occur piecemeal, and in the end, UNMIK would continue to exist as the "umbrella of legitimacy" for EULEX functions. //IRAN// ¶4. (C) According to Fernandez-Arias, High Representative Solana will brief the P5 1 negotiating parties, minus the U.S. representative, on his recent visit to Tehran. The EU did not expect a clear answer from Iran on the incentives package. Fernandez-Arias suggested that the EU would take a double-track approach with Iran, and that although the EU supports strengthening the designation lists, it was too early for such action. //LEBANON// ¶5. (C) Fernandez-Arias said Spain agreed that keeping Syria out of the sphere of influence in Lebanon was important, but was not certain as to how to achieve the objective. Fernandez-Arias indicated that the EU would proceed with caution, as the new Lebanese government needed "breathing room." //MEPP// ¶6. (C) Fernandez-Arias said Spain agreed with the USG analysis of the MEPP impediments and cautioned that the debate as to how to proceed should not negatively affect EU momentum. With respect to the Association Council with Israel, Fernandez-Arias believed that the EU was ready to engage and that Israel, likewise, was ready to make better use of what the EU had offered it. He believed it was time to confront Israel with its responsibilities and implement positive incentives to ensure that complications such as Israeli settlement construction ended. Fernandez-Arias indicated Spain would be present at the Berlin Conference but that the commitment of funds was but one step to implementing justice. //CUBA// ¶7. (C) Fernandez-Arias reiterated that both the EU and USG have common goals with respect to Cuba: political, social and economic change. He predicted that the 2003 restrictive measures would be lifted. He noted that the sanctions were suspended and claimed they were, in any case, ineffective. He argued it was time to consider alternatives - namely dialogue. He said the GOS would specifically pursue open dialogue with all actors, both governmental and non-governmental, but would not pursue the imposition of benchmarks. He said the GOS would engage in good faith and believed Cuba would do the same. Poloff stressed USG,s position with respect to the restrictive measures and the importance of setting benchmarks for concrete progress. She urged that the international community press for real democratic change, including the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. Fernandez-Arias contended that at the very least he expected Cuba would send a delegation to Brussels or accept an EU delegation in Havana and that this action would be evidence of a good faith effort on Cuba,s part. MADRID 00000670 002.2 OF 002 //SOMALIA// ¶8. (C) Fernandez-Arias indicated the approved text on Somalia reported EU efforts on stabilization and discussed piracy, including welcoming the approval of UNSCR 1816. //SUDAN// ¶9. (C) Fernandez-Arias indicated that the prosecutor for Sudan's International Court of Justice would be present at the GAERC and that although the court has EU support, continued UN presence was important for the region. African Union support also remained critical to objectives in Sudan, as well as open communication with the government of Sudan. //ZIMBABWE// ¶10. (C) Fernandez-Arias said Spain supported UK efforts and that although there would be a discussion of Zimbabwe at the GAERC, the June 27 "mock" elections would complicate matters. He said the EU would send a strong message to Zimbabwe and would work with Zimbabwe's neighbors to bring resolution to the crisis. AGUIRRE