AMBASSADOR SOLOMONT'S JANUARY 9, 2010, MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000020 SIPDIS FOR EUR/WE, ALSO FOR WHA/CEN, NEA/IPA, AND S/GC E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2020 TAGS: PREL AF HO IR IS SP WI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SOLOMONT'S JANUARY 9, 2010, MEETING WITH SPANISH FM MORATINOS Classified By: Ambassador Alan D. Solomont, Reasons 1.4(b),(d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Shortly after his arrival January 9, the Ambassador went to the MFA to present copies of his credentials. Unexpectedly, he was received personally by FM Moratinos. Moratinos conveyed King Juan Carlos' greetings and said the King was anxious to meet the Ambassador. A credentials ceremony has been tentatively scheduled for January 27, an unusual step since the Palace would normally not hold another such ceremony until the spring. The Ambassador and Moratinos discussed Honduras, the Middle East, North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Guantanamo detainees, and the bilateral relationship. End summary. Honduras -------------- ¶2. (C) Moratinos briefed the Ambassador on a January 7 visit to Madrid by Honduran envoy (and former Honduran President) Ricardo Maduro for consultations on a way forward. Moratinos said Spain supported WHA PDAS Kelly's efforts to promote a dignified exit by President Zelaya from the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa. He said the international community needed to keep up the pressure on the de facto government. He said the Spanish had discussed with Maduro reconciliation formulas. Spain, Moratinos said, wanted President-elect Lobo to succeed, but Micheletti continued to maintain a hard line and block progress. He emphasized the need to find a way out of the impasse. Middle East -------------- ¶3. (C) Moratinos noted the Ambassador's previous personal and professional work in promoting Middle East peace. He said Spain continued to work for a breakthrough and said he was not pessimistic. He said the USG approach of trying to accommodate the concerns of both sides was the right way to proceed. He added that while the Israelis were difficult, it was understandable that Israel wanted sustainable measures and progress. Moratinos said he enjoyed positive relations with actors on both sides. He said he had a good relationship with PM Netan yahu and his diplomatic advisor who, along with the other key players, trusted him completely. Moratinos said that while some considered President Zapatero pro-Palestinian, Zapatero had enjoyed a productive visit to Israel in the fall and had gotten on very well with Netanyahu. Moratinos said Spain knew Netanyahu wanted to move forward on a peace agreement. Ironically, Moratinos had to reassure the Palestinians that Spain was not tilting toward the Israelis. He urged that the USG use Spain and Moratinos personally as necessary on Middle East issues, not only given Spain's incumbency in the EU Presidency but also taking into account Moratinos' personal experience in the Middle East. "I am at your disposal" he emphasized. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador said he had recently discussed the Middle East with SE Mitchell, who emphasized it was critical to make the Palestinians understand the importance of returning to the bargaining table. On key issues such as Jerusalem final status, there needed to be negotiations. He added that SE Mitchell intended to urge Moratinos during their upcoming meeting in Brussels to encourage the Palestinians to return to negotiations. The Ambassador looked forward to engaging Moratinos on the Middle East, noting he was very familiar with the issues and the key experts and players, including former Ambassadors Indyk and Kurtzer. North Africa -------------- ¶5. (C) Moratinos said the U.S. and Spain should work closely together in North Africa, noting the recent successful resolution of the case involving Western Sahara activist Aminatou Haidar was the result of joint collaboration among France, Spain, and the U.S. Moratinos hoped Secretary Clinton would find time on the margins of upcoming international meetings (e.g., the London conference on Afghanistan) for a short meeting with Spain to discuss Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He noted Yemen was another key focus for Spain's EU Presidency and that there was a January 25 meeting on Yemen. Iran -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador noted the upcoming visit of U/S Burns MADRID 00000020 002 OF 002 to discuss Iran and other issues with EU Political Directors meeting in Spain. Moratinos pledged to free up his calendar as necessary (even leaving a scheduled cabinet meeting) to meet with U/S Burns. He accepted the Ambassador's invitation for lunch with U/S Burns January 15. Afghanistan and Guantanamo -------------- ¶7. (C) Moratinos reaffirmed the GOS commitment to help the USG. He reiterated Spain's pledge to take in Guantanamo detainees. He said the Ministry of Interior understandably had serious security concerns about many of the detainee cases but said he had been instrumental in getting them to review a new slate of candidates. He said he was in close discussions with SYG of the Presidency Bernardino Leon on this matter, indicating the two worked well and closely together and that there was no daylight between the Spanish Presidency and the MFA. The Ambassador urged Moratinos to move expeditiously on Spain's Guantanamo commitment. Bilateral Relationship -------------- ¶8. (C) The Ambassador thanked Moratinos for seeing him on his first day in the country and noted Secretary Clinton held Moratinos in high regard. He said the USG and he in particular looked forward to close consultations with Spain and with Moratinos personally. The Ambassador mentioned NSA Jones' belief that Spain had made extraordinary efforts over the last year to improve the U.S.-Spain partnership, noting that as Ambassador he would work to enhance that cooperation. Moratinos said he was personally committed to making the relationship the very best. He said Spain was not perfect but urged that if at any moment the Ambassador considered Spain was not behaving in an appropriate fashion, he hoped the Ambassador would tell him so frankly and would flag the most important issues. Moratinos said there should be no hidden agendas between friends and that Spain wanted to identify areas of common work. Moratinos expressed confidence that smooth and positive relations would continue. The Ambassador said that Washington appreciated Spain's views, and he assured Moratinos he would take him up on his request for honest, blunt, and candid feedback. SOLOMONT