Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MADRID188
2009-02-23 08:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN NOT LIKELY TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL MAURITANIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO9507 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #0188 0540802 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 230802Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0265 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0258 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 1178 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3850
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000188
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: EUN PREL PHUM PGOV SP MR
SUBJECT: SPAIN NOT LIKELY TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL MAURITANIAN
SANCTIONS
REF: A. SECSTATE 13962
B. MADRID 177
C. 08MADRID1132
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000188
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: EUN PREL PHUM PGOV SP MR
SUBJECT: SPAIN NOT LIKELY TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL MAURITANIAN
SANCTIONS
REF: A. SECSTATE 13962
B. MADRID 177
C. 08MADRID1132
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel A demarche to Spanish MFA
European Correspondent Maria Luisa Benitez-Dononso February
20, stressing the EU's opportunity to support the AU and its
imposition of targeted sanctions against the military junta.
Benitez-Donoso restated Spain's condemnation of the coup and
desire for the restoration of democracy, but said that Spain
would not likely support additional sanctions. She
reiterated Spain's support for existing EU and AU sanctions
and the continued withholding of EU developmental assistance,
however, and made clear that with Mauritania it is not
"business as usual."
2. (C) Comment: This approach falls in line with Spain's
general approach, preferring to encourage good behavior,
offering a "carrot," rather than punish the bad. Moreover,
and as explained previously by other MFA officials, Spain
does not want to see Mauritania, a country not far from its
own territory, become a "failed state." Like Germany, Spain
fears that further isolation may give way to such unintended
results. Mauritania's proximity also requires bilateral
cooperation on illegal immigration and counter-terrorism
issues, and the GOS considers its fluid relationship with the
Mauritanians vital to its own national security.
CHACON
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: EUN PREL PHUM PGOV SP MR
SUBJECT: SPAIN NOT LIKELY TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL MAURITANIAN
SANCTIONS
REF: A. SECSTATE 13962
B. MADRID 177
C. 08MADRID1132
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel A demarche to Spanish MFA
European Correspondent Maria Luisa Benitez-Dononso February
20, stressing the EU's opportunity to support the AU and its
imposition of targeted sanctions against the military junta.
Benitez-Donoso restated Spain's condemnation of the coup and
desire for the restoration of democracy, but said that Spain
would not likely support additional sanctions. She
reiterated Spain's support for existing EU and AU sanctions
and the continued withholding of EU developmental assistance,
however, and made clear that with Mauritania it is not
"business as usual."
2. (C) Comment: This approach falls in line with Spain's
general approach, preferring to encourage good behavior,
offering a "carrot," rather than punish the bad. Moreover,
and as explained previously by other MFA officials, Spain
does not want to see Mauritania, a country not far from its
own territory, become a "failed state." Like Germany, Spain
fears that further isolation may give way to such unintended
results. Mauritania's proximity also requires bilateral
cooperation on illegal immigration and counter-terrorism
issues, and the GOS considers its fluid relationship with the
Mauritanians vital to its own national security.
CHACON