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

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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.

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//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