DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PRESSING FOR A FIFTH ROUND OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000684 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, IO/UNP JFITZGERALD AND NEA/MAG RKAAILAU. E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018 TAGS: UNSC PREL PGOV PBTS MO WI CS SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PRESSING FOR A FIFTH ROUND OF WESTERN SAHARA TALKS REF: SECSTATE 88765 Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor David E. Henifin for reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (C) On August 19, we delivered reftel demarche to Carlos Cordero at the MFA's Department of Disarmament, Terrorism and Organized Crime, who is following Western Sahara developments. Cordero said that if one party did not accept the envoy, then he (Walsum) could not be an effective mediator. The GOCR therefore believed it would be very difficult to hold talks with Walsum as mediator since he had lost confidence. ¶2. (C) Cordero noted that the GOCR still favored the old Baker plan as a solution. He added that the parties should be given every opportunity to decide their fate, with all of the options at their disposal -- including the option of independence. Cordero said the GOCR would prefer the idea of holding talks with another facilitator, such as Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe. CIANCHETTE