Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MADRID956
2008-09-04 06:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN'S VIEWS ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
how-toVZCZCXRO4927 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHMD #0956 2480646 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040646Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5294 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3562
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000956
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SEIJI T SHIRATORI AND WILLIAM TOMLYANOVICH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN SP KV
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
REF: STATE 91908
Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000956
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SEIJI T SHIRATORI AND WILLIAM TOMLYANOVICH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN SP KV
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
REF: STATE 91908
Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On September 3, poloff discussed reftel points with
Spanish Subdirector General for Central and Southern Europe
Ramon Abaroa Carranza, stressing the potentially adverse
consequences of the Serbian UNGA resolution requesting an ICJ
advisory opinion on Kosovo's independence. Abaroa agreed
that the issue of Kosovo's indendence is a political
question, not a legal one, stating that the Government of
Spain does not support Serbia's action and will abstain
should the issue come to a vote in the General Assembly. He
acknowledged that the GOS's concern stems in part from
Spain's own separatist issues (referring to Basque and
Catalonia regional tensions).
2. (C) Abaroa said that the GOS has had several informal
discussions with Serbia on this issue. According to Abaroa,
Spain wholely supports Serbia's accession into the EU and
thinks that the ICJ request is contrary to Serbia's eventual
integration. Abaroa said that Spain acknowledges that many
EU member states have recognized Kosovo's independence and
that "Serbia cannot go back." According to Abaroa, and
despite Spain's refusal to recognize Kosovo, asking the ICJ
whether said independence is legal, at this point, serves no
good purpose.
Aguirre
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SEIJI T SHIRATORI AND WILLIAM TOMLYANOVICH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN SP KV
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA
REF: STATE 91908
Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On September 3, poloff discussed reftel points with
Spanish Subdirector General for Central and Southern Europe
Ramon Abaroa Carranza, stressing the potentially adverse
consequences of the Serbian UNGA resolution requesting an ICJ
advisory opinion on Kosovo's independence. Abaroa agreed
that the issue of Kosovo's indendence is a political
question, not a legal one, stating that the Government of
Spain does not support Serbia's action and will abstain
should the issue come to a vote in the General Assembly. He
acknowledged that the GOS's concern stems in part from
Spain's own separatist issues (referring to Basque and
Catalonia regional tensions).
2. (C) Abaroa said that the GOS has had several informal
discussions with Serbia on this issue. According to Abaroa,
Spain wholely supports Serbia's accession into the EU and
thinks that the ICJ request is contrary to Serbia's eventual
integration. Abaroa said that Spain acknowledges that many
EU member states have recognized Kosovo's independence and
that "Serbia cannot go back." According to Abaroa, and
despite Spain's refusal to recognize Kosovo, asking the ICJ
whether said independence is legal, at this point, serves no
good purpose.
Aguirre