US embassy cable - 04MADRID2163

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002163 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR IO/UNP AND EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, IZ, SP, UNSC 
SUBJECT: SPAIN AND UNSC IRAQ RESOLUTION: PROMISE OF 
POSITIVE VOTE 
 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission J. Robert Manzanares, 
reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Ambassador and DCM met June 8 with Spanish Foreign 
Minister Moratinos to press him not only for a yes vote on 
the UNSCR on Iraq, but a strong, positive explanation of the 
vote that also included clear support for the Iraqi Interim 
Government (IIG).  As he had said publicly to the press, 
Moratinos reaffirmed that Spain will vote in favor of the 
resolution.  When pressed on the explanation of vote, 
Moratinos said the statement would be positive.  He said he 
has been in close contact with his UN representatives in New 
York and they have clear instructions to be open and 
constructive. 
 
2.  (C) Moratinos also noted that some less-than-positive 
comments regarding the resolution from Zapatero and others in 
Madrid,s leadership were politically driven.  Though they 
had said that the resolution did not quite fulfill all of 
their requirements, in the end, said Moratinos, the vote 
would be positive.  Moratinos also said Spain wants to 
continue working closely with the U.S. and will continue to 
provide economic and political support to the IIG.  The IIG 
can count on the full support of the government of Spain, he 
added.  "You can count on the Spanish," averred Moratinos. 
 
3.  (C) When DCM later discussed this issue with Zapatero,s 
national security advisor, Carles Casajuana, Casajuana said 
Spain would vote in favor of the resolution.  However, he was 
somewhat less categorical that the explanation of the vote 
would be completely positive; he said Spain wanted to mention 
its humanitarian law concerns and its desire for a 3-month 
Multinational Force reporting schedule to the Security 
Council.  DCM pressed for an unequivocally positive statement. 
ARGYROS