PORTUGUESE FM RESIGNS, NEW MOD AND FM SWORN IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 001315

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE FM RESIGNS, NEW MOD AND FM SWORN IN

REF: LISBON 769

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


1. (SBU) Summary: Portuguese FM Diogo Freitas do Amaral
resigned on June 30, citing health reasons. MOD Luis Amado
was named to become the next Foreign Minister, and Amado was
replaced by Nuno Severiano Teixeira, the former director of
the Institute of National Defense. Both men were sworn in on
July 3 in the second cabinet shuffle under the Socrates
Administration (2004-2009). This shuffle is unlikely to
affect the excellent relations we have with both the Foreign
and Defense Ministries. End summary.

Freitas Resigns, Others Named
--------------


2. (U) On June 30, Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas
do Amaral officially resigned, citing "health reasons which
require surgery." PM Socrates read the President's official
letter of acceptance before the full cabinet, and named Luis
Amado as the next Foreign Minister and Nuno Severiano
Teixeira as the next Minister of Defense. Socrates was
careful to highlight Freitas' long service to the Portuguese
public sector and efforts to modernize Portugal, sidestepping
Freitas' occasional propensities to go off message or clash
with GOP policies. Severiano Teixeira and Amado were
subsequently sworn in at the Presidential Palace on July 3.

Health Reasons Prompted Departure?
--------------


3. (U) A Foreign Ministry press release cites "three spinal
lesions" and the requisite months of medical treatment as the
reasons behind Freitas' departure. The note reported that
Freitas is scheduled for surgery on July 3.


4. (SBU) However, in addition to Freitas' health concerns,
one local political commentator suggested that a policy
disagreement with the United States had prompted the
resignation. Nuno Rogeiro, a close Embassy contact and SIC
News commentator, speculated in a TV interview that it was
possible Freitas had resigned after meeting with the
Ambassador to discuss the Luso-American Development
Foundation (FLAD) on June 27 or as a result of recent
developments in East Timor. (Comment: Other Embassy
interlocutors also privately suggested that FLAD tensions had
been the cause of Freitas' abrupt departure. Freitas had
lost his temper in a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador
on June 27 to discuss proposed structural changes to FLAD and
the Prime Minister's Office was subsequently informed that it
had been a difficult meeting. Nonetheless, Freitas' tenure
has been marked by a number of public missteps, and it had
only been a matter of time until his early departure. His
health problems appear to have provided the most compelling
justification, at least for public consumption. End
comment.) Rogeiro was the only commentator to publicly
suggest that Freitas resigned for any reason other than
health, and most discussion about the resignation had died
down by Sunday, overwhelmed by the nation's euphoria
surrounding Portugal's victory over England in the World Cup
quarter finals.

Political Party Reactions
--------------


5. (U) This is the second cabinet change under the Socrates
Administration. Former Finance Minister Campos e Cunha
resigned in July 2005, citing personal reasons and
exhaustion. Local Catholic radio station "Radio Renaissance"
quoted some reactions to the Freitas resignation on June 30.
Social Democrat Party (PSD) Member of Parliament Miguel
Macedo was quoted as saying that Freitas' departure was
inevitable and overdue. Leftist Bloc (BE) leader Francisco
Louca told the press that this was a victory for rightist
forces and that Amado's selection would bring Portugal's
policy closer to Washington's.

Policy Implications
--------------


6. (C) COMMENT: The Foreign Minister change is unlikely to
have much effect on bilateral policy as Amado has proven to
be a balanced, pro-U.S. cabinet member as Defense Minister.
Amado confirmed his intentions to maintain the policies that
Freitas had espoused and remarked, "The government is the
same and there will be continuity." Amado was key in
Portugal's decision to augment its presence in Iraq during

LISBON 00001315 002.2 OF 002


his tenure as Defense Minister, and has been steadfast in
maintaining Portugal's military participation in
international efforts such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia,
Kosovo, and in Africa.


7. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: The change we are likely to witness
is in style. Amado is much more discreet and less prone to
public missteps than Freitas, and any differences with us
will be addressed quietly and behind closed doors.
Ambassador Hoffman developed an excellent relationship with
Amado at MOD, which we fully expect will continue with the
change in Amado's portfolio.


8. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: An historian and university
professor, Severiano Teixeira is an expert on defense issues
and published a book recently on the Portuguese defense
establishment. He previously served as Interior Minister in
the Guterres government, so he has inside knowledge of the
security structure. Severiano Teixeira in the past has been
very pro-NATO, but leery of muscular U.S. use of force
outside of formal multilateral alliances. We have not had
close interactions with him in the recent past, so cannot
speak to the personal style he will bring to bear in his new
position. We expect the broad outlines of GOP defense policy
to remain strongly Atlanticist in orientation. Severiano
Teixeira participated in a special International Visitor
Program in the United States commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the founding of NATO. End comment.

Bio Sketches
--------------


9. (U) Biographical Information on Luis Amado

PERSONAL:
Born in Porto de Mos, Leira Portugal on September 17, 1953.

ACADEMIC:
Graduated in Economics from ISE, Technical University of
Lisbon
Courses attended: Post-grad in European economy, Catholic
University, Institute of National Defense, 1990; Law making
course

PROFESSIONAL:
- Advisor, Madeira Accounts Court

POLITICAL:
- Georgetown University ) International Relations Office
(2002)
- Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and
Cooperation under Antonio Guterres Administration (1999)
- Secretary of State Assistant to the Minister of Internal
Administration, XIII Constitutional Government (1995-1997)
- Deputy to the Assembly of Republic as of 1992
- Councilman, Funchal, 1989
- Deputy to Madeira Legislative Assembly (1985-1988)
- Defense Minister (March 2005-June 2006)


10. (U) Biographical Information on Nuno Severiano Teixeira

PERSONAL:
Born in Guinea Bissau, Ph.D. in Contemporary International
Relations from the European University Institute, Florence,
Italy. Research work in Portugal and the European
Integration and Portugal and the European Security.

PROFESSIONAL:
- First Institute of National Defense (IDN) civilian Director
(1996-2000)
- Associate professor of history at the New University of
Lisbon and University of Evora
- Participated in a Special IV Group project honoring NATO's
50th anniversary (1999)
- Authored "Power and War" and "Internal and External
Policies in the Portugal of 1890"
- Former Minister of the Interior under the Antonio Guterres
Administration
Hoffman