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Cablegate: Spain: Urging Pa Authority President Abbas On

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

181328Z Oct 05

UNCLAS MADRID 003642

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: URGING PA AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ABBAS ON
GAZA DISENGAGEMENT

REF: STATE 189905

1. (SBU) Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos intends to
reinforce the Quartet message and points similar to those in
reftel to PA Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during Abbas'
October 18-19 visit to Madrid, according to MFA Director for
the Middle East and Africa Alvarro Iranzo. Iranzo said
Moratinos plans to underscore the need to take action to
dismantle armed groups which undermine rule of law. He added
that Moratinos took every opportunity, incuding most recently
publicly in Tunis, to underscore the need to for an end to
violence and the need for "one law, one authority and one
'legal monopoly' on armed force." Iranzo noted that the
Quartet statement contained several messages, including the
need for both sides to fulfill their responsibilities.
Polcouns responded that indeed that is part of the overall
message, as we look for opportunities to capitalize on Gaza
disengagement.

2. (SBU) In his on-going dialogue with Abbas and the
Palestinians (including in a meeting 5 weeks ago), Moratinos
makes clear that the two Intifadas were failures and that
violence is not only criminal, but counter-productive to the
Palestinian cause, Iranzo said. Iranzo also underscored to
Polcouns the need for PA security forces force to have all
of the material means they need to respond to and control
radical armed groups, adding that Israeli actions have at
times prevented them from obtaining needed equipment.
Nonetheless, Iranzo said Spain has been very active in
supporting Palestinian security forces and said he believes
General Ward is very happy with Spanish assistance, which is
delivered on a bilateral basis and through EUCOPS, where
Spanish experts are assisting the Palestinians in
restructuring their security forces.

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3. (SBU) Iranzo said that Abbas needs some margin of
maneuver and has to be careful as he seeks to restrain armed
groups not to spark a civil war among the Palestinians.
However, the need to give him a margin of maneuverability
"has an expiration date" and he needs to take action.

4. (SBU) Iranzo undertook to brief Polcouns after Abbas'
two-day visit, in which Abbas will meet with Moratinos and
with Spanish King Juan Carlos.
AGUIRRE

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