US embassy cable - 04MADRID2619

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002619 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, SY, SP 
SUBJECT: SPANISH RESPONSE: RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA 
 
REF: STATE 142629 
 
Classified By: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Political Counselor, for Reasons 1 
.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche on July 6 to Enrique 
Mora, Director of the MFA's Office of EU Foreign Policy and 
Common Security.  Mora was not able to give an immediate 
reaction, but later spoke to Poloff on July 9.  He stated 
that Spain and the EU share the general concern with the USG 
regarding the human rights situation in Syria.  Mora said 
that the EU would deliver a demarche to the Syria government 
either on July 13 or 14 requesting that Syria clarify their 
reasons for detaining persons mentioned in our talking points. 
 
2. (C) Mora said that the EU was still looking for a Syrian 
official who could accept the demarche. He said that Syrian 
officials and diplomats are often reluctant to accept 
negative messages, as they can face retribution from the 
higher levels of the Syrian government.  Mora stated that 
while the EU does not believe that President Bashar al-Assad 
is likely to support democracy or radical changes in the 
Syrian regime, he is better than his father.  Mora said that 
the EU sees a reformist faction in Syria and hopes to 
approach the Syrian human rights situation in a manner that 
advances the reformers. 
 
3. (C) We also delivered the demarche to Juan Manuel Cabrera, 
Director of the MFA's Office of Human Rights on July 6. 
Cabrera had no comment at that time and we will report any 
response we receive in the future. 
MANZANARES