Cablegate: Spain On Un Scale of Assessments
VZCZCXRO1663
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #3083 3551747
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211747Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1501
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA PRIORITY 2305
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0277
UNCLAS MADRID 003083
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
IO/MPR FOR G. ABRAHAMS, D. LEIS, H. WARD
USUN/MR FOR AMBASSADOR WALLACE AND A. HILLMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AORC PREL UNGA SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN ON UN SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS
REF: A. STATE 200954
B. MADRID 2512
1. (SBU) Poloff delivered ref. A demarche to Miriam
Alvarez, Spanish MFA Deputy Subdirector General for the
United Nations, on December 20. After consulting with New
York and the MFA Director General in charge of UN affairs,
Alvarez informed Poloff on December 21 that the debate was
ongoing in New York, but said that Spain understands the
United States position and will continue working toward a
consensus agreement. She noted that Spain could not speak on
behalf of the entire EU, but she promised to convey our
position to other European delegations in New York. Alvarez
also mentioned that a Chinese diplomat had paid a visit to
their office on the same topic on December 20.
2. (SBU) Ref. B summarizes Spain's position from October
2006: Spain understands that the 22 percent ceiling is a red
line for the United States, but it would appreciate
assurances that the U.S. will fully clear its arrears and pay
its dues in a timely fashion, as well as making a significant
contribution to the UN Capital Master Plan.
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Visit Embassy Madrid's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/madrid/
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AGUIRRE