US embassy cable - 04MADRID4444

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 004444 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CIS COLLECTIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, EU, SP 
SUBJECT: SPAIN: RESPONSE TO SECOND ROUND OF UKRAINIAN 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 
 
REF: STATE 240442 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Ricardo Zuniga. 
Reason 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
1.  (C)  Poloffs met with the MFA desk officer for Russia and 
Eastern European affairs, Marta Ruiz, November 16 to 
encourage Spain's participation in election monitoring during 
the second round of the Ukrainian presidential election on 
November 21 and to hear GOS views on imposing visa 
restrictions on Ukrainian officials who have engaged in 
electoral fraud or manipulation (reftel).  Ruiz told us that 
Spain agrees that the previous election round did not meet 
international standards.  She added that although the GOS 
would like to see the OSCE augment its international election 
observer presence for the second round, Spain does not plan 
to send observers.  Ruiz explained that Spain is currently 
resolving legal differences with the OSCE over funding for 
Spanish participation in OSCE election observer missions. 
She added that the GOS expects this issue to be resolved in 
the coming months so that Spanish OSCE members can 
participate in future missions. 
 
2.  (C)  On the issue of visa bans against Ukrainian 
officials involved in electoral fraud, Ruiz told poloffs that 
because Spain is a party to the Schengen visa agreements, it 
cannot introduce a travel ban without the approval of all 
Schengen members.  She added that any travel restrictions 
would have to be discussed within the EU and would not have 
an immediate effect on prohibiting the travel of Ukrainian 
officials who are found to have engaged in electoral fraud. 
ARGYROS