PORTUGUESE REPLY ON MTCR AND HCOC DEMARCHES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001343 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MTR E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2016 TAGS: KSCA PARM PREL ETTC TSPA PT SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE REPLY ON MTCR AND HCOC DEMARCHES REF: A. SECSTATE 81264 ¶B. SECSTATE 95368 Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol/Econ Officer, State Department Reason: 1.4 (b) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ officer delivered reftel demarches and followed up with MFA's Deputy for Security and Disarmament Pedro Sousa Abreu on June 23. He said Portugal welcomed the letter from Undersecretary Joseph (ref a) and thanked the U.S. for conveying its intentions for the upcoming October meeting. ¶2. (C) Sousa Abreu had no objections to the concept as outlined in the letter, however he requested more detailed information about the USG proposal as soon as it is available to allow a technical review and policy consideration in advance of the meeting. Portugal is open to discussing revisions to the current MTCR technical criteria but seeks to fully vet any proposal. ¶3. (C) Regarding HCOC (ref b),Sousa Abreu said the U.S. agenda was similar to the GOP agenda but that it was more involved. He inquired whether we were concerned that our "New Triad" agenda might be in conflict with weapons control efforts, but said he would wait to hear more about plans. He also requested more information on the U.S plans as they become available regarding HCOC. Hoffman