VZCZCXRO1364
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #1142/01 3080803
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 030803Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5507
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3634

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 001142 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SP EUN ETRD RS IS AF PK SY LE
SO, IR 
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON NOVEMBER GYMNICH AND JUMBO GAERC 
 
REF: A. STATE 115017 
     ¶B. MADRID 1132 
     ¶C. MADRID 1131 
 
MADRID 00001142  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Spanish MFA Deputy 
European Correspondent Maria Luisa Benitez Donoso on October 
¶29. Regarding the agenda, Benitez said that given the Jumbo 
GAERC includes defense and development issues in addition to 
external relations, and that the Congo will likely be added 
due to the deteriorating situation, Bosnia and Somalia may be 
pushed back until December.  Transatlantic Relations will 
likely dominate the GYMNICH agenda, according to Benitez. 
 
RUSSIA/GEORGIA 
 
¶2. (C) Benitez said that Spain is pleased with the outcome of 
the Donor's conference, noting Spain's one million euro 
contribution in addition to the 500,000 euros donated at the 
beginning of the conflict.  The GOS is also pleased, she 
said, with EU Special Envoy Morel's ability to bring the 
parties together earlier this month. She agreed that an 
international presence in the separatist regions is critical 
and said that Russia asked the EU mission to take control of 
security in those regions.  Solana has said, according to 
Benitez, that the EU must remind Russia that the EU mission 
is an unarmed civil police mission and that security will 
remain within the purview of the Georgian police. 
 
¶3. (C) Benitez said that the GOS considers that it is not 
"business as usual with Russia," but that channels of 
communication must remain open.  Negotiations with Russia on 
a new EU-Russia partnership agreement (PCA) "will move 
forward and we're planning for Nice," said Benitez.  She said 
that the items for discussion and depth of any agreement 
reached may change, but that "closing the door" on Russia is 
not the answer. Benitez said that FM Moratinos has made clear 
that if Russia wants to discuss President Medvedev's proposal 
for a new European Security Treaty, "we are open to talking 
about it."  Benitez quickly pointed out, however, that it is 
far too early for any agreement, as the proposal is at an 
early stage. 
 
IRAN 
 
¶4. (C) Benitez said that Iran is not a topic for discussion 
at either the GYMNICH or GAERC, as High Representative Solana 
is still waiting for a clear response from the Iranians on 
the P5 1 offer.  She said that the GOS supports the 
dual-track strategy and that autonomous national measures 
and/or enlargement of sanctions may be considered should 
Tehran provide no response or an inadequate response. 
Benitez also said, however, that the GOS is reviewing the 
effects of current sanctions and is not pleased as little 
impact is seen since Iran easily circumvents designations. 
 
SYRIAN ENGAGEMENT 
 
¶5. (C) Spain appears to side with the French on Syrian 
engagement.  According to Benitez, FM Moratinos believes that 
isolation of Syria would be ineffective (reftel B).  "Syria 
has an important role in the Middle East Peace Process and 
will see itself closer to the EU than Iran," Benitez said. 
She opined that the GOS would err on the side of engagement, 
pointing to recent efforts made, such as the announcement of 
diplomatic relations with Lebanon.  "Give them time," Benitez 
stated. 
 
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE 
 
¶6. (C) Benitez said that the MEPP will not be on the agenda, 
and hasn't been for several meetings, as the EU does not want 
there to be any distraction to the negotiation process.  In 
the EU's effort to support the negotiations, no public 
statements will be made, she said (reftel B).  Benitez 
stressed that Spain's views coincided with the U.S. desire to 
support negotiation to the extent possible without 
jeopardizing the integrity of the process and that the 
Quartet principals would be key to any agreement reached. 
Spain continues to consider what role the GOS will have once 
an agreement is reached, she added. 
 
EU SOMALIA ANTI-PIRACY EFFORTS 
 
¶7. (C) Benitez said that anti-piracy efforts will not likely 
be on the GAERC agenda given the number of topics to be 
covered, but opined that our joint efforts will provide a 
good model for future EU/NATO missions. 
 
MADRID 00001142  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN 
 
¶8. (C) Benitez said that the GOS is active within the tribal 
areas of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, providing development 
aid, and agreed that stabilization of the border areas is 
important (reftel C).  The GOS does not yet have a position 
on support for the United States' proposed appointment of an 
official to oversee a World Bank-administered trust fund. 
 
TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS 
 
¶9. (C) Benitez said that although Transatlantic Relations was 
a scheduled topic at the September GYMNICH, it was not 
discussed as the Georgia/Russia conflict was underway.  She 
emphasized that due to the nature of the GYMNICH -- i.e., an 
informal discussion amongst foreign ministers aimed at 
promoting creative solutions in the development of EU policy 
-- no agenda could be confirmed with certainty, but indicated 
that this was a likely topic.  Specifically, she said there 
would likely be a brainstorming session regarding EU/NATO 
cooperation and common EU/US interests, such as Afghanistan, 
Pakistan and the MEPP.  Benitez was unable to comment on the 
recently-received French Presidency's "food for thought" 
paper. 
AGUIRRE