

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08MADRID836, IRAN FOCUS OF TREASURY UNDER SECRETARY LEVEY TRIP
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08MADRID836.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08MADRID836 | 2008-07-28 16:29 | 2010-12-12 12:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Madrid |
VZCZCXRO7860
RR RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #0836/01 2101629
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281629Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5174
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MADRID 000836
SIPDIS
TREASURY FOR CCLARK AND DFERNADEZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: ECON EFIN EINV ETRD KTFN PREL PARM PTER IR SP
SUBJECT: IRAN FOCUS OF TREASURY UNDER SECRETARY LEVEY TRIP
TO MADRID
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission, Hugo Llorens, reasons: 1.5 (b)
and (d)
¶1. (C) Summary: Treasury Under Secretary Stuart A. Levey,
accompanied by Chief of Staff Christy Clark and Policy
Advisor DeAnna Fernandez, traveled to Madrid, Spain July
15-17, 2008 to press for Spanish support for implementation
of UNSCR 1803 per the EU-3 1 proposal and to provide
information on the Iranian shipping line IRISL and on threats
to the insurance industry. Spanish officials said they had
no "substantive" objections with the EU-3 1 proposal,
although they did not unequivocally commit to support
implementation of the proposal prior to the August holidays.
Spanish officials received the information U/S Levey provided
on IRISL and insurance with great interest. The Under
Secretary, together with Ambassador Aguirre, thanked a Repsol
representative for the company decision not to pursue the
South Pars Block 13 gas deal. U/S Levey also participated in
an AmCham hosted lunch and engaged in press outreach. End
Summary
--------------------------------------------- -----
UNDER SECRETARY LEVEY'S MESSAGE WITH GOS OFFICIALS
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶2. (C) The Under Secretary stressed in all of his meetings
the USG's commitment to a diplomatic solution to the Iranian
nuclear issue, underscored by the decision to send Under
Secretary Burns to participate in the Geneva meeting with
Iran as one more indication of the USG's firm commitment to
reach a diplomatic solution. In order to facilitate that
solution, it was necessary to present Iran with a "stark"
choice, either conform to UNSCR resolutions or face isolation
and stronger economic sanctions. Levey emphasized that the
EU's decision in June to designate Bank Melli was a strong
action that sent an important signal that the EU was prepared
to be firmer with Iran. This was why it was so necessary for
Spain to support implementation of UNSCR 1803 per the EU-3 1
proposal prior to the August vacation. The Under Secretary
also provided information on the Iranian shipping line,
IRISL. He said that in 2007, IRISL ships had been
interdicted, and that in several instances, the ships had
been carrying prohibited items to Iran. IRISL had also
engaged in deceptive practices involving, among other things,
the falsification of shipping documents and operating through
a company called Seibow Limited. Additionally, Levey noted
that UNSCR 1737 requires measures to prevent the provision of
financial services related to the transfer of prohibited
items to Iran. There had been a great deal of success in
convincing the banking sector to be extremely vigilant in
dealing with Iran. The U.S. now wants to expand vigilance to
the insurance industry as well. The Under Secretary also
raised questions regarding the possible collaboration between
Iran and a Libyan-owned bank.
-----------------------------------
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MEETING
-----------------------------------
¶3. (C) The Under Secretary met with International Economic
Relations and Energy Affairs Director General Rafael Conde de
Saro and two staff members. The MFA officials said that
Spain has no "substantive" problems with the EU-3 1 UNSCR
1803 implementation proposal, but it was not clear whether
Spain would support implementation of the proposal prior to
the August holidays. The MFA officials added that perhaps
other EU members might have problems with the substance
and/or timing. Levey indicated that there was a very clear
reduction of Iranian activity in Spain deriving from various
sanctions adopted at different levels. Spain had been
scrupulous in its application of sanctions. De Saro and his
staff received the Under Secretary's information on IRISL and
insurance with interest. Conde indicated that he was not
aware of any Spanish operations with IRISL or of Spanish
insurance for IRISL, but that the appropriate Spanish
authorities would be informed.
---------------------------------
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND
TRADE MEETING
---------------------------------
¶4. (C) U/S Levey met with Ministry of Industry, Tourism and
Trade Secretary General for Foreign Trade Alfredo Bonet and
staff. Bonet expressed support for vigilance and caution
with respect to transactions with Iran. He said that Repsol
had made a "tough decision" not to pursue the South Pars
MADRID 00000836 002 OF 003
deal. With respect to export credits, a staff member said
that Spain was "freezing" export credit levels to Iran.
Responding to U/S Levey' questions regarding what a "freeze"
means, the official said that it meant capping export credit
levels to Iran. New deals can be approved, although the
staff member said that export credit transactions with Iran
were decreasing because it was difficult to find a bank
willing to finance the deal. Bonet received the information
U/S Levey provided with respect to IRISL and insurance with a
great deal of interest. He said that recently, the ministry
had imposed new information requirements for companies
seeking to export possible dual use items. Now, the firms
have to specify the means of transportation (including the
identity of the shipping company) and for information on
transit countries. For shipments to Iran, it was common
practice to have the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI -
Spain's main intelligence organization) check the end user
and middlemen links for some operations, often delaying them
for up to a month. If there is a potential risk or doubt
about the information Iran provides, the Ministry requests
further information or denies the operation. Ministry staff
also noted that Spanish banks have closed representative
offices in Iran.
-------------------
MEETING WITH REPSOL
-------------------
¶5. (C) Ambassador Aguirre and Under Secretary Levey thanked
Repsol YPF General Counselor and Secretary to the Board Luis
Suarez de Lezo for Repsol's decision not to go ahead with the
South Pars Block 13 deal. Suarez said that Repsol's decision
had been a "cruel" one. However, Spain was "sensitive" to
the problem of terrorism. Suarez said that the company had
delayed making a decision for as long as possible, and that
it still has hopes for business in Iran once the nuclear
issue is dealt with. Suarez said that, so far, Repsol had
not been lucky in developing business in Iraq, mostly because
the competition from bigger rivals was too tough. However,
Repsol had been very successful in making new discoveries in
Brazil and Libya.
------------------------------------
MEETING WITH THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
------------------------------------
¶6. (C) U/S Levey and DCM met with Economy Ministry Secretary
of State David Vegara and staff. The U/S stressed the
importance of Spain supporting the EU-3 1 UNSCR
implementation proposal. One Vegara staff member suggested
that Spain was already largely implementing the proposal
through increased banking vigilance, but Levey pointed out
that the EU-3 1 proposal contained other important elements
as well. The staff member said that Spain was working with
the U.S. within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to
develop guidance on how to implement UNSCR 1803 (including on
"counter-measures"), and U/S Levey thanked him for that
support. Vegara said that Spain was on the right side of
this issue, and on the matter of containing export credit
operations, Spain had reduced export credits by 30 percent.
The Secretary of State expressed a great deal of interest in
the IRISL and insurance information provided by U/S Levey.
Vegara noted, however, that while Spain has large banks, it
does not have large insurance companies, so he doubted that
they were involved in insuring cargo destined for Iran, but
the government would look into it. Secretary of State Vegara
underscored that Spain was committed to the Iran financial
sanctions issue, but that Spain had to coordinate with other
EU members. He expressed a great deal of interest in Under
Secretary Burns' meeting with Iranian officials. DCM
emphasized in this context the need for the international
community to continue to make clear the "stark" choice that
Iran faces precisely in order to give diplomacy a better
chance to work. There was also a discussion of the risk
posed by possible collusion between Libyan-owned banks and
Iran. Vegara and his staff indicated that there was only one
such bank in Spain and they would look into the matter.
-----------------------------
MEETING WITH THE CENTRAL BANK
-----------------------------
¶7. (C) U/S Levey and DCM met with Deputy Governor Jose Vinals
and staff. He too demonstrated great interest in the
material the U/S provided. Vinals agreed with Levey that
Spanish banks were increasingly unwilling to take any risks
with respect to Iran. He said that Banks Santander and
Sabadell had ceased Iran-related operations, and that, as far
as he knew, Spanish banks had closed their representation
MADRID 00000836 003 OF 003
offices in Iran. When Levey raised concerns about the risk
posed by possible collusion between Libyan-owned banks and
Iran, Vinals and his staff also indicated that there was only
one Libyan-owned bank in Spain, Aresbank. They noted that
while Aresbank was Libyan-owned, it was managed by Spanish
officials. They indicated that the majority of Aresbank's
business was financing equipment and transport to Libya,
which was necessary since roughly 30 percent of Spain's oil
imports come from Libya. Vinals, nonetheless , noted that
any Libyan-owned bank merited extra scruitiny.
-------
COMMENT
-------
¶8. (C) Under Secretary Levey's trip was very timely given the
upcoming EU decision on the EU-3 1 UNSCR 1803 implementation
proposal. We do not know whether Spain will support
implementation prior to the summer holidays. However,
although the Spaniards, especially the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, played the perennial Brussels-Member State dance,
i.e. suggesting that others might be to blame for an outcome
not desired by the USG, we think the GOS understands that we
are monitoring Spain's stance on this issue very carefully.
¶9. (U) Under Secretary Levey has cleared this message.
Aguirre