Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MADRID572
2009-06-12 11:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
how-toVZCZCXRO7501 PP RUEHAG RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMD #0572 1631104 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121104Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0778 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 4024
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000572
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA (JEFF GIAUQUE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON THE JUNE GAERC
REF: 06/04/2009 GIAUQUE E-MAIL
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 000572
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA (JEFF GIAUQUE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON THE JUNE GAERC
REF: 06/04/2009 GIAUQUE E-MAIL
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff discussed anticipated agenda items for the June
GAERC with Spanish MFA Deputy European Correspondent Maria
Luisa Benitez Donoso June 10. Benitez said the two most
anticipated topics for the GOS are acceptance of Guantanamo
detainees and review and revision of the EU Common Position
on Cuba. As of the morning of June 10, Georgia had dropped
off the agenda, according to Benitez, and discussions are not
anticipated on Sudan, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovenia, or Croatia
unless there are new developments before the June 15 meeting.
There will be discussion on the Middle East Peace Process,
as well as Afghanistan/Pakistan.
2. (C) Guantanamo: Following on last month's discussions and
agreed upon EU principles on detention policy, there will be
continued discussion regarding common security concerns and
legal implications of individual countries' decisions
regarding acceptance of detainees. Benitez said that Spain
agreed upon the EU policy in principle, but is strongly
encouraging continued discussion. She said the GOS is still
amenable to accepting detainees but has serious concerns
about the legal and security implications.
3. (C) Cuba: The Common Position on Cuba is all but complete
except for technical drafting issues, according to Benitez.
She said that the countries generally agreed on the Common
Position concepts, but a few countries (including Denmark)
continued to argue over technical evaluation language.
Benitez said that the negotiations on the Common Position
have focused on how the EU will evaluate progress, not only
in Cuba, but in other countries where human rights are a
consistent concern (Belarus). The GOS argues that there has
been sufficient progress in that Cuba has begun to engage in
dialogue with other countries and that this dialogue must be
encouraged. "We all agree they are moving in the right
direction. Slower, perhaps, than we would like, but at least
there has been change," Benitez opined.
4. (C) MEPP: Benitez said that Spain's views coincided with
the U.S. desire to focus on the Quartet as the preeminent
mechanism for coordinating international diplomatic efforts
and key to any agreement reached. On Syrian engagement,
Benitez reiterated that isolation of Syria would be
ineffective, and that Syria has an important role in the
MEPP. She added said that Syria has been lobbying EU
countries, arguing for Iran's role as a regional player, and
that Spain agrees that the peace process must encompass a
regional perspective that incorporates all players.
5. (C) Afghanistan/Pakistan: Benitez said that discussion
will be somewhat limited on Afghanistan and Pakistan and more
fully addressed by the European Council on June 18. The GOS
continues to study ways to approach the region, she said,
discussing ways to intensify trade and agricultural
development.
CHACON
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA (JEFF GIAUQUE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON THE JUNE GAERC
REF: 06/04/2009 GIAUQUE E-MAIL
Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff discussed anticipated agenda items for the June
GAERC with Spanish MFA Deputy European Correspondent Maria
Luisa Benitez Donoso June 10. Benitez said the two most
anticipated topics for the GOS are acceptance of Guantanamo
detainees and review and revision of the EU Common Position
on Cuba. As of the morning of June 10, Georgia had dropped
off the agenda, according to Benitez, and discussions are not
anticipated on Sudan, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovenia, or Croatia
unless there are new developments before the June 15 meeting.
There will be discussion on the Middle East Peace Process,
as well as Afghanistan/Pakistan.
2. (C) Guantanamo: Following on last month's discussions and
agreed upon EU principles on detention policy, there will be
continued discussion regarding common security concerns and
legal implications of individual countries' decisions
regarding acceptance of detainees. Benitez said that Spain
agreed upon the EU policy in principle, but is strongly
encouraging continued discussion. She said the GOS is still
amenable to accepting detainees but has serious concerns
about the legal and security implications.
3. (C) Cuba: The Common Position on Cuba is all but complete
except for technical drafting issues, according to Benitez.
She said that the countries generally agreed on the Common
Position concepts, but a few countries (including Denmark)
continued to argue over technical evaluation language.
Benitez said that the negotiations on the Common Position
have focused on how the EU will evaluate progress, not only
in Cuba, but in other countries where human rights are a
consistent concern (Belarus). The GOS argues that there has
been sufficient progress in that Cuba has begun to engage in
dialogue with other countries and that this dialogue must be
encouraged. "We all agree they are moving in the right
direction. Slower, perhaps, than we would like, but at least
there has been change," Benitez opined.
4. (C) MEPP: Benitez said that Spain's views coincided with
the U.S. desire to focus on the Quartet as the preeminent
mechanism for coordinating international diplomatic efforts
and key to any agreement reached. On Syrian engagement,
Benitez reiterated that isolation of Syria would be
ineffective, and that Syria has an important role in the
MEPP. She added said that Syria has been lobbying EU
countries, arguing for Iran's role as a regional player, and
that Spain agrees that the peace process must encompass a
regional perspective that incorporates all players.
5. (C) Afghanistan/Pakistan: Benitez said that discussion
will be somewhat limited on Afghanistan and Pakistan and more
fully addressed by the European Council on June 18. The GOS
continues to study ways to approach the region, she said,
discussing ways to intensify trade and agricultural
development.
CHACON