Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MADRID863
2008-08-05 10:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN DENIES COUNTERPRODUCTIVE ACTIONS ON KOSOVO
how-toVZCZCXRO3538 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #0863 2181051 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051051Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5203 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3531 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0887 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0087 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0173 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0453
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)
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
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