PORTUGAL: NATO RESPONSE FORCE: WITH THE U.S. IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001089 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016 TAGS: PREL NATO MARR PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: NATO RESPONSE FORCE: WITH THE U.S. IN SPIRIT, BUT UNLIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE REF: STATE 89374 Classified By: P/E Officer Rhonda Ferguson-Augustus for reasons 1.4 (b/ d). ¶1. (C) P/E officer delivered reftel demarche June 6 to MFA's Director of Security and Disarmament Joao Corte-Real. Corte-Real thought that the MOD had the lead on this issue and said he would forward it immediately. When pressed for his opinion, he said that Portugal was already participating in Afghanistan and would like to strengthen its presence there with more equipment and personnel. However, he reminded P/E officer that Portugal was under severe financial constraints and he was not sure it would be able to offer more at this time. He promised that Portugal would consider the matter carefully and do its best. ¶2. (C) The DATT also demarched the MOD on June 6, addressing Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister, Paulo Lorenco, who said Portugal shared U.S. priorities regarding the importance of the NRF 7 and 8. He said he would brief the Minister on this subject for the June 8 Defense Ministerial. ¶3. (C) Comment: Portugal has been financially stretched over the last year, due to considerable budget shortfalls. It currently has 161 troops in Afghanistan, 300 in Bosnia, 250 in Kosovo and over the weekend sent 120 Republican National Guard (GNR) members to help stabilize East Timor, where they contemplate having to remain up to a year. At the behest of Ambassador Hoffman, Portugal also is increasing its presence in the NATO Training Mission in Iraq. The Portuguese plan on sending as well 30 Marines to the Democratic Republic of Congo for its upcoming elections in July. The GOP strongly supports the purpose of the pledge request, but may find itself stretched too thin to provide additional support to NRF. Hoffman