Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MADRID468
2009-05-14 13:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
REACHING OUT TO THE GOS RE ORION AIR
how-toVZCZCXRO4332 PP RUEHLA DE RUEHMD #0468 1341310 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 141310Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0629 INFO RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0363 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3977 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS MADRID 000468
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA A.MONZ AND EUR/WE S.ZERDECKI/E.SAMSON
STATE ALSO FOR EEB/ESC/TFS C.BACKEMEYER
COMMERCE FOR BIS T.CHRISTINO, J.SONDERMAN, J.JEST
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL SP SY
SUBJECT: REACHING OUT TO THE GOS RE ORION AIR
REF: A. MADRID 462
¶B. STATE 47933
¶C. MADRID 439
¶D. MONZ-DUDLEY E-MAIL 5/4
¶E. MADRID 413
¶F. SECSTATE 41098
(SBU) Following up on refs A and B, econoff spoke at length
May 14 with Jose Luis Rodriguez de Colmenares, Deputy
Director for Economic Relations with OECD countries at the
MFA and provided additional background on the events leading
to the issuance of the TDO to Orion Air. Colmenares, who
appeared well-informed of the situation, indicated that he
had been in touch with other GOS agencies as well as Orion
Air concerning the matter, adding that the GOS was in the
process of determining its authority and position. For that
reason, he made no commitment concerning our request that the
GOS attempt to prevent the second aircraft from being shipped
to Syria, though he stated that the GOS wanted to be helpful
to the USG. Econoff stressed the urgency of the matter,
noting post's understanding that the company planned to send
the aircraft o/a May 15. Colmenares, however, expressed
surprise and indicated that he understood, based on his
involvement in the matter, that the second aircraft was not
to be shipped until near the end of May. Post will continue
to engage the GOS on this issue.
CHACON