RUSSIA - GEORGIA CONFLICT: DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000916 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE AND GEORGIA TASK FORCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018 TAGS: MARR PREL RU GG SP SUBJECT: RUSSIA - GEORGIA CONFLICT: DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT WITH SPAIN REF: A. STATE 89769 ¶B. MADRID 897 Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Poloffs delivered reftel A points to Deputy FM Angel Lossada's chief of staff as well as Spanish MFA Deputy Political Director Carlos Fernandez-Arias on August 20, stressing support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. As in our continuing demarches, Embassy stressed that Russia abide by the cease-fire agreement and its commitment to immediate withdrawal. We also emphasized the need for unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, support for OSCE monitoring, prevention of human rights violations, and increased aid for Georgia. According to Lossada's office, the GOS will continue to work within the EU framework and support the French EU Presidency. Lossada's office again discouraged any action against Russia that would, in the long run, prove "counter-productive" and encourage nationalistic sentiment in the region. ¶2. (C) The MFA Deputy Political Director's office echoed this sentiment, stating that "now is not the time to place blame or one side or the other, but rather offer a balanced approach while encouraging Georgia's independence and territorial integrity." The Deputy Political Director's office indicated that the GOS position, resisting NATO Membership Action Plans for Georgia and the Ukraine, has not changed since Bucharest and future Spanish involvement in the OSCE's observership will be civilian in nature, not military. The GOS committed 500,000 Euros (739KUSD) in response to the call for humanitarian aid made by the International Committee of the Red Cross for the affected population. ¶3. (U) The Spanish MFA issued a press release noting that FM Moratinos spoke with Secretary Rice and other FMs on August 18 in advance of the August 19 NATO meeting to discuss Georgia. The MFA highlighted Spain,s active involvement in the international community,s efforts (especially the European Union and OSCE efforts) to achieve a ceasefire and bring peace and union to the region. ¶4. (U) Embassy is actively disseminating our points to a wide audience of policy makers. We are working to place a Spanish language Op-Ed in the press on August 21. The Ambassador addressed a group of 50 prominent business representatives in southern Spain on August 19. In addition to his overview of bilateral relations, he also presented U.S. views on Russia,s aggressive military actions and the need for Russia to uphold its commitments to respect Georgia,s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ambassador Aguirre,s remarks were covered in the local press. Aguirre