US embassy cable - 05MADRID398

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000398 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2015 
TAGS: OPDC, PGOV, PREL, PTER, SNAR, ECON, CO, SP, Counterterrorism 
SUBJECT: SPAIN STATEMENTS AT CARTAGENA CONFERENCE 
 
REF: STATE 18519 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Ricardo F. Zuniga, 
reasons 1.4(b) and (d) 
 
(C)  Poloff delivered reftel demarche early February 2 to 
Juan Carlos Sanchez, the MFA's Deputy Director General for 
Andean Affairs.  Sanchez replied that while Spain is very 
much in favor of denouncing terrorism whenever possible 
(particularly given Spain's own experience with terrorism), 
the Spanish government had preferred the text of a proposed 
statement that Sanchez said U.S. Embassy Bogota had passed to 
Spain's ambassador in Madrid earlier, but later withdrew. 
Sanchez did not have a copy of the statement but recalled 
that it was not directed exclusively at Venezuela, and 
instead called on all countries to follow the rule of law and 
adhere to international treaties.  The Spanish believe that 
statement was preferable to reftel demarche because it 
pointed the finger at both Colombia and Venezuela, and thus 
would likely be more constructive than a statement directed 
only at Venezuela.  Poloff emphasized that the statement 
suggested in reftel did not specifically mention Venezuela 
and was very general in nature.  Sanchez said he understood 
but believed the statement would be read by all as directed 
at Venezuela, which the Spanish do not believe would be the 
most productive way to promote cooperation between Colombia 
and Venezuela on the question of Colombian guerrilla 
organizations. 
 
 
MANZANARES