Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MADRID403
2009-04-21 08:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN CONFIRMS ROLLOVER OF EU COMMON POSITION ON
how-toVZCZCXRO4862 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #0403 1110854 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 210854Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0538 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0081 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3958 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000403
SIPDIS
EAP/MLS (LAURA SCHEIBE) AND NSC (ELIZABETH PHU)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN CONFIRMS ROLLOVER OF EU COMMON POSITION ON
BURMA
REF: SECSTATE 33547
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(C) POLOFF shared reftel demarche with Spanish MFA
Subdirector General for the Pacific, Southeast Asia and
Philippines Jose Luis Garcia Galan and MFA European
Correspondent Ricardo Lopez Aranda on April 8. During an
April 20 meeting, Garcia confirmed that the EU Common
Position would be rolled over and conclusions (still under
negotiation) issued at the April 27-28 GAERC. He assured
poloff that despite Spain's lack of confidence in the
efficacy of sanctions, the EU would not ease sanctions
against the regime at this time. Garcia added that Spain
sees no positive effect from the sanctions imposed, either on
the international stage or local. The GOS does not have a
bilateral trade or other financial relationship with Burma,
nor is there an issue of Burmese officials wanting to travel
to Spain, Garcia explained. Garcia also commented that EU
Special Representative for Burma Pietro has Spain's full
support, stating that the 2010 elections present an
opportunity for the opposition to re-engage. "We're not
naive enough to think that the elections will be completely
fair or free, but support the process," he said. The GOS
hopes for constructive dialogue with Burmese officials at
the ASEAN-EU meeting in May, acknowledging however that the
regime is unlikely to fully engage or make any dramatic move
towards democratization.
CHACON
SIPDIS
EAP/MLS (LAURA SCHEIBE) AND NSC (ELIZABETH PHU)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN CONFIRMS ROLLOVER OF EU COMMON POSITION ON
BURMA
REF: SECSTATE 33547
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(C) POLOFF shared reftel demarche with Spanish MFA
Subdirector General for the Pacific, Southeast Asia and
Philippines Jose Luis Garcia Galan and MFA European
Correspondent Ricardo Lopez Aranda on April 8. During an
April 20 meeting, Garcia confirmed that the EU Common
Position would be rolled over and conclusions (still under
negotiation) issued at the April 27-28 GAERC. He assured
poloff that despite Spain's lack of confidence in the
efficacy of sanctions, the EU would not ease sanctions
against the regime at this time. Garcia added that Spain
sees no positive effect from the sanctions imposed, either on
the international stage or local. The GOS does not have a
bilateral trade or other financial relationship with Burma,
nor is there an issue of Burmese officials wanting to travel
to Spain, Garcia explained. Garcia also commented that EU
Special Representative for Burma Pietro has Spain's full
support, stating that the 2010 elections present an
opportunity for the opposition to re-engage. "We're not
naive enough to think that the elections will be completely
fair or free, but support the process," he said. The GOS
hopes for constructive dialogue with Burmese officials at
the ASEAN-EU meeting in May, acknowledging however that the
regime is unlikely to fully engage or make any dramatic move
towards democratization.
CHACON