SPAIN DENIES COUNTERPRODUCTIVE ACTIONS ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000863 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR A/S FRIED, EUR/WE, E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2018 TAGS: UNMIK UN PREL KV YI SP SUBJECT: SPAIN DENIES COUNTERPRODUCTIVE ACTIONS ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION REF: AGUIRRE/HUNTER 08/04/2008 EMAIL Classified By: A/DCM Keller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador spoke with FM Moratinos August 5 to convey our concern regarding third country reporting that Spanish diplomats have lobbied against Kosovo recognition, sometimes opposing other EU diplomats who were seeking to promote recognitions. Moratinos reiterated Spain's policy as conveyed by Secretary for the Presidency Bernardino Leon to Assistant Secretary Fried April 4. Spain, while not prepared to recognize Kosovo independence, will not take any actions to obstruct or deter other countries. Moratinos did not offer any timeframe when Spain might recognize Kosovo, but other Spanish officials have told us that it is not a near-term prospect due to domestic considerations influenced by autonomous communities politics, particularly in the Basque Country and Catalonia. ¶2. (C) Moratinos offered that some countries had sought guidance from Spain regarding what position to take with regard to Kosovo independence, and he had advised his counterparts to use their own judgment in the matter. Spain has issued no demarches or instructions to its diplomats or representatives regarding Kosovo. Ambassador informed Moratinos that the USG had received credible reporting, such as prior to the EU-LAC meeting in May and most recently two separate instances from Latin America in July where Spanish diplomats reportedly lobbied actively against Kosovo recognition, sometimes opposing other EU diplomats. Moratinos categorically denied those reports, saying, "those are lies." Moratinos said that if the Ambassador could provide specific details on allegations, he would take action to rectify the situation. ¶3. (C) The Spanish MFA is now clearly aware that there is a disconnect between their stated policy and the activities of their representatives outside Spain. We have asked Spain to ensure the counterproductive activities cease by clarifying to its diplomats in the field the GOS' specific Kosovo policy. Aguirre