MFA CRAVINHO VISIT TO TIMOR URGES COMMUNICATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 001289

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN TT PO
SUBJECT: MFA CRAVINHO VISIT TO TIMOR URGES COMMUNICATION


Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol/Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon, State.
Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Portuguese Deputy Foreign Minister Joao Gomes
Cravinho and his advisor Diogo Franco traveled to East Timor
on a bilateral mission from June 25-28. Franco provided a
readout to Emboffs on June 29, stressing that the visit had
been positive in spite of the unexpected resignations.
Franco voiced Portugal's view that the international
community should help East Timor through the crisis together
and must rethink its original strategy from 1999. Cravinho
met with President Gusmao, former PM Alkatiri, Ramos Horta,
Australian Ambassador to Timor Twomey, and UN Representative
Ian Martin to press the same message: East Timor leaders need
to speak with one voice and the international community
should respond with a multilateral force under UN control as
soon as possible. End summary.

Bilateral Visit to Urge Communication
--------------


2. (C) Cravinho's visit had been planned as a way for
Portugal to meet with Timorese interlocutors and to discuss
the progress of the Portuguese National Republican Guard
(GNR) and urge communication between Timorese leaders.
Franco noted that other nations in the Australian-led Joint
Forces had traveled to East Timor to urge calm and discuss
their presence in a similar fashion, but that given
Portugal's distance, the initial focus was on getting the GNR
forces in place, confirming logistical coordination, and
finally making the trip to East Timor. Franco said the
timing, which overlapped with the Alkatiri and Ramos Horta
resignations, was coincidental. He was careful to note that
Portugal does not favor one Timorese faction and was not
visiting to either protest or support Alkatiri's resignation.
Nevertheless, Cravinho took the opportunity to underscore
the importance of communication and cooperation in the wake
of the latest crisis.

Portugal Calls for a Unified Timorese Voice
--------------


3. (C) Cravinho's meetings included talks with President
Gusmao, former PM Alkatiri, Fretilin party leaders, and
former FM Ramos Horta, in which he pressed for a consensus on
the new UN mission. Franco commented that Portugal was
frustrated with the Timorese efforts to pit international
agencies and forces against one another for partisan ends.
"Portugal has no strategic agenda in East Timor, but we do
want to see them resolve their internal conflict and
consolidate their democracy," according to Franco. He added
that the United Nations needed to have a clear message from
East Timor about its requirements so that other nations did
not attempt to "take over."


4. (C) Cravinho and Franco met with UN Representative Ian
Martin. They told Martin that Portugal believes the UN
mission would have to be significantly different than the
1999 mission. "The last mission left too soon and did not
have enough institutional support." Franco reiterated the
same message we have heard from other GOP interlocutors --
Portugal seeks a robust UN mission for the next 2-5 years.
Franco mentioned that the UN engagement in East Timor should
be rethought to ensure an ultimate success story, but stopped
short of offering more detail. (Comment: GOP officials have
stressed the robust mission message but have so far shied
away from details on their vision for the mission, stressing
the need to defer to Timorese preferences.)

Cooperation with Australia Working
--------------


5. (C) Franco related the highlights of Cravinho's meeting
with Australia's Ambassador to East Timor. Franco reported
that the meeting had been cordial and that the two countries'
troops are working together successfully. Cravinho had
intended to travel to Canberra personally to meet Prime
Minister Howard but met the Ambassador since Howard is in
Europe. Cravinho told Ambassador Twomey that he had heard
rumors that Portugal backed Alkatiri and replied that such
accusations were "absurd." He said Portugal is not
attempting to back Alkatiri any more than Australia was
backing Gusmao. Franco said Cravinho had been satisfied with
the meeting but considered Australia's plans to depart by
December unrealistic since East Timor will clearly require
dedicated effort over the long-term.


LISBON 00001289 002 OF 002


Multilateral Force yes, Unilateral Control no
--------------


6. (C) Franco reported that the visit had reaffirmed
Portugal's views regarding the future UN mission:
multilateral forces are the only way to go. Without naming
countries, Franco said, "most nations have a strategic or
economic interest in East Timor that, if left unchecked,
could undermine Timor's success." Consequently, he
underlined the need for a UN-led multilateral force in East
Timor. When asked about Portugal's plans for the police
component, he replied that Portugal does not want to lead a
force nor deploy a unilateral police mission but stressed it
should only be under a UN mandate. He would not be drawn on
which country should lead the UN police component. He
commented that the multilateral efforts in military, police,
and institutional support had worked well and should be
repeated. He remarked that a mix of international and
bilateral missions would not only be more costly, but also
less effective than a single UN-led multilateral force with
multiple components. East Timor should be an international
success and, therefore, needs UN support immediately,
according to Franco.

CPLP Visit Next Week
--------------


7. (C) Cravinho had excellent access to all political players
in Timor, according to Franco. He noted that the Timorese
responded to Portuguese representatives very positively given
the historic links and what he described as Portugal's
even-handed approach. Franco was therefore optimistic that
the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP in
Portuguese) visit to Timor, slated for July 2, would be well
received and allow the Timorese the opportunity to refine
their proposals for the international community.


8. (C) Comment: Portugal seems convinced that Timor's
government should set the tone and makeup of the new UN
mission without pressure from the international community.
Franco seemed concerned, however, that the recent
resignations and resulting discord would distract Timorese
decision-makers from the important task of informing the UN
about its needs. He stressed that Portugal wanted to give
Timor the opportunity to shape its own future, but
acknowledged some frustration over the infighting. End
comment.
Hoffman