US embassy cable - 04MADRID2992

S E C R E T MADRID 002992 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, IZ, SY, SP 
SUBJECT: SPAIN LOOKS TO SYRIA RELATIONS AND UNSC ROLE TO 
ADDRESS SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER SECURITY 
 
REF: STATE 166961 
 
Classified By: Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick, Political Counselor. 
Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D) 
 
(S)  We delivered reftel points encouraging Spain to express 
serious concern 
over anti-Iraq activity in Syrian territory on August 5 to 
Ignacio de 
Cartagena, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Director of Middle 
Eastern Affairs at 
the Spanish Foreign Ministry (MFA).  De Cartagena told us 
that the MFA was 
familiar with the issue of foreign, anti-Iraqi extremists 
entering Syria and 
using its territory as a safe heaven.  He explained that 
Spain's new socialist 
government had maintained the former administration's policy 
of maintaining 
cordial relations with Syria based on mutual understanding. 
Given this 
relationship, Spain would be willing to express its concern 
to the Syrian 
government and, possibly, take steps to address the 
Iraq-Syria border security 
issue in its role as president of the UN Security Council in 
September.  De 
Cartagena said he would relay our points further up the chain 
of command as 
senior officials return from August leave. 
MANZANARES