US embassy cable - 04MADRID1079

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, CH, CU, SP, UNHRC-1 
SUBJECT: SPANISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON CHR 60 RESOLUTIONS 
ON CHINA AND CUBA 
 
REF: A. STATE 64048 
 
     B. MADRID 998 
     C. MADRID 822 
 
Classified By: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Political Counselor, for Reasons 1 
.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) PolCouns and Poloff met with Augustin Nunez, MFA 
Director General for UN Affairs (A/S equivalent) on March 26 
to follow up on our initial March 23 approach to senior MFA 
officials regarding the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Cuba 
and China resolutions (reftels A and B).  We stressed our 
desire for Spain, though not a CHR member, to help garner 
support for the upcoming resolutions among the EU and to 
co-sponsor the resolutions. Nunez took the opportunity to 
recall that Spain had been a CHR candidate previously, but 
withdrew so the US could regain its seat, and that Spain 
would like to get back on the Commission. (Note: this has 
been a recurring theme with the Spanish, as post has reported 
previously (reftel C).  In a subsequent lunch meeting on 
March 29, Inigo de Palacio, Director of the UN Affairs Office 
under Nunez in the MFA, stressed to Poloff Spain's desire for 
USG assistance in lobbying for Spain's candidacy for the CHR. 
 De Palacio asked if Washington could inform the MFA or 
Spain's UN representation if the USG intended to provide this 
assistance to the Spanish candidacy. End Note) 
 
2. (C) Nunez stressed first that under the current caretaker 
government, no important decisions could be made without 
consultation with the incoming Socialist government, and that 
as yet there were no interlocutors selected by the incoming 
government to consult with on these issues.  That said, he 
noted that the EU members of the CHR likely would vote for 
the Cuba resolution; the question for Spain was whether to 
co-sponsor.  Nunez said that if the majority of EU countries 
decided to co-sponsor, Spain would likely go along.  He also 
added that EU policy opposes no-action motions, and that the 
policy would remain in place for both the Cuba and China 
resolutions. 
 
3. (C) On China, Nunez said that unlike the USG, the EU sees 
the EU-China Human rights dialogue as the more effective 
means to deal with China on human rights concerns, and 
believes the on-going dialogue mitigates the need for a 
resolution.  Spain would not take an active role on this 
issue, he said.  Nunez stated that if the resolution is put 
to a vote, EU members would likely abstain or vote in favor. 
 
4. (C) On China accepting a visit by the Special Rapporteur 
on Torture, Nunez said that the Dutch had indicated that the 
Chinese had finally accepted a visit, though with no date 
certain.  He took the opportunity to express concern about 
Special Rapporteur Van Boven's report on Spain, which is very 
unfavorable toward Spain regarding treatment of ETA prisoners 
(reftel C).  Nunez said Van Boven was operating off of 
outmoded concepts, viewing modern Spain as if it were Spain 
under Franco or Central America 20 years ago. 
ARGYROS