US embassy cable - 05MADRID1456

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001456 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2015 
TAGS: PREL, AG, MO, WI, SP 
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON USG POSITION ON 
PERSONAL ENVOY FOR WESTERN SAHARA 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 66720 B. MADRID 1324 C. MADRID 1353 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Ricardo Zuniga; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d 
) 
 
1. (C) On April 13, Poloff delivered demarche as per 
instructions in reftel A to MFA Maghreb office director 
Carlos Fernandez Arias. Arias said that he was aware that the 
Department had shared a similar message with the Spanish 
Embassy in an April 12th meeting.  He appreciated the USG's 
detailed response to the Spanish suggestion and was happy to 
note that the door was not completely shut on the possibility 
of selecting an American as an envoy in the future if 
conditions improved.  He said Spain agreed with the need to 
focus on improving Algerian-Moroccan bilateral relations. 
 
2. (C) Separately, Arias said a Polisario delegation had been 
in Madrid to meet with FM Moratinos on Monday. He described 
the Polisario visitors as "quite nervous" about the 
possibility of being left out of any future agreement, 
particularly now that relations between Rabat and Algiers 
seemed to be improving. FM Moratinos emphasized to them that 
he would keep his doors open to the Polisario and would not 
seek to diminish their status just because Spain was making 
efforts to improve relations with Morocco. Arias added that 
the tone of Polisario's rhetoric was very measured, with no 
belligerent statements about resuming armed conflict. 
MANZANARES