UNCLAS LISBON 001354

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP PREL PARM UNSC PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SHARES CONCERNS ON NORTH KOREAN MISSILE
LAUNCHES

REF: SECSTATE 111144

On July 6, Pol/Econ Officer outlined U.S. concerns about
North Korea's July 4 and 5 missile launches and stressed that
such activities called into question the North's willingness
to achieve a diplomatic solution. MFA Director of Security
and Disarmament Joao Corte-Real agreed completely with the
White House statement and the U.S. position as outlined in
reftel. He reported that Portugal supports the EU
condemnation of the launches, and hopes that North Korea will
exercise restraint and return to the Six-Party Talks in the
near future. Corte-Real added that Portugal would like to
see the UN Security Council issue a statement condemning the
launches to match the U.S. and EU statements.
Hoffman