US embassy cable - 05MADRID1891

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001891 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2015 
TAGS: CH, PREL, SU, MARR, MOPS, SP, EUN 
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE MAY 23 EU FOREIGN 
MINISTERS MEETING 
 
REF: A. STATE 90085 
     B. MADRID 1879 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 
 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  SUMMARY:  Poloff discussed the China Arms Embargo, 
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), and Sudan with 
Carlos Fernandez-Arias, MFA EU Policy Coordinator (and 
Special Assistant to MFA Political Director Dezcallar) on May 
17.  Fernandez-Arias does not expect the China Arms Embargo 
to be lifted this year, and he claimed Spain's position 
regarding the arms embargo remains unchanged, despite Defense 
Minister Bono's personal opposition to lifting the embargo 
(Ref B).  The GOS believes that recent NATO and EU 
cooperation in Bosnia proves that NATO and the EU can work 
together well.  EU states agree with the U.S. agenda in Sudan 
and are waiting to hear what type of logistical support is 
needed by the African Union.  The Middle East Peace Process 
and budgetary issues will also be discussed during the May 23 
Foreign Ministers Meeting (GAERC).  END SUMMARY. 
 
//CHINA ARMS EMBARGO// 
 
2.  (C)  Fernandez-Arias does not foresee a lifting of the 
China Arms Embargo during the Presidencies of Luxembourg and 
the United Kingdom.  EU states have agreed that there must be 
significant movement on both human rights and political 
reform in China before the conditions will be right for the 
lifting of the arms embargo (a point Moratinos alluded to in 
his speech before the U.S.-Spain Council May 14 - see Ref B). 
 Fernandez-Arias said the issue of the China Arms Embargo 
would not be discussed at the GAERC meeting on May 23.  He 
added that EU member states would like to continue dialogue 
with the U.S. and address U.S. concerns over China before 
agreeing to end the arms embargo.  Poloff emphasized to 
Fernandez-Arias that discussions of the U.S.- EU Strategic 
Dialogue on East Asia in Brussels on May 23 would not be a 
negotiation with the EU, but rather a discussion of strategic 
issues in East Asia, including China's military build-up. 
Fernandez-Arias confirmed to Poloff that Spain's mid to 
long-term view of the China Arms Embargo remains unchanged. 
Basically, Spain favors a lifting of the China Arms Embargo 
with an enhanced code of conduct after China delivers 
political and human rights reforms.  (Embassy Comment: 
Fernandez-Arias' comment about Spain's position on the China 
Arms Embargo likely is not the final word on this issue now 
that the popular and influential Bono has publicly put 
forward his personal opposition to lifting the embargo.  We 
will use Bono's opening to press the Spanish for a more 
favorable position on the embargo as the GOS seeks to improve 
ties with the U.S.) 
 
//ESDP// 
 
3.  (C)  Fernandez-Arias told Poloff that Foreign Ministers 
would discuss elements of NATO and EU cooperation in Bosnia. 
Spain believes in the Berlin-Plus arrangements and welcomes 
further cooperation between NATO and the EU.  Fernandez-Arias 
added that Bosnia was a good example of how NATO and the EU 
can work together. 
 
//SUDAN// 
 
4.  (C)  Fernandez-Arias told Poloff that Spain agrees 
completely with U.S. objectives in Sudan.  He told Poloff 
that EU members expected African Union President Alpha Oumar 
Konare to ask for both financial and logistical support in 
Sudan during his current meetings in Brussels. 
 
//OTHER ISSUES// 
 
5.  (C)  The Middle East Peace Process will likely be 
discussed in Brussels, according to Fernandez-Arias.  The 
discussions will likely focus on finding a European deputy 
for Quartet Special Envoy James Wolfensohn. 
 
6.  (C)  Fernandez-Arias told Poloff that few external 
political issues would be discussed.  Discussions at the 
GAERC meeting would likely focus on financial perspectives 
concerning the current EU budget debate, defense cooperation 
and ESDP developments, and budgetary issues concerning EU 
economic development and cooperation initiatives in the third 
world. 
NEALON