Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LISBON1527
2006-07-25 10:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

TFLE01: PORTUGAL REQUESTS EU AND UN RESPONSE TO

Tags:  PREL PGOV PO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0198
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLZ
DE RUEHLI #1527/01 2061036
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251036Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5010
INFO RUCNMUC/EU CANDIDATE STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 001527 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: TFLE01: PORTUGAL REQUESTS EU AND UN RESPONSE TO
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

REF: LISBON 1449

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 001527

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: TFLE01: PORTUGAL REQUESTS EU AND UN RESPONSE TO
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

REF: LISBON 1449


1. (U) Summary: Until July 20, the Portuguese government had
remained relatively quiet on its views of the Middle East
conflict, other than lamenting the humanitarian crisis and
following the EU's message (reftel). On July 20 and July 23,
however, the GOP offered to participate in a future UN
peacekeeping force in the Middle East and then urged EU
President Finland to convoke an extraordinary EU foreign
ministers' meeting to discuss the crisis. Post obtained
copies of both press releases on July 24. End summary.

--------------
July 20 Press Release
--------------


2. (U) Begin unofficial translation:

-- The Government continues to monitor the developments in
the Middle East with great concern, regretting the loss of
lives in particular, the heightened humanitarian crisis, and
the destruction of civil infrastructure. The Government
reiterates the terms of the Conclusions adopted by the
European Union Council last July 17, and expresses its total
support for the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Finnish
EU President's and High Representative Javier Solana's envoy.
The complexity of the crisis demands the full attention of
the international community and a united response from the
European Union.

-- The Government further notes the actions of the UN
Secretary General, concurring with his appeals for the

SIPDIS
immediate cessation of hostilities. Given this situation,
the Government underscores its availability to consider terms
of a Portuguese participation in an international
peacekeeping force, under a UN mandate and with the strict
respect for the constitutional norms, which puts an end to
humanitarian crisis and creates conditions for assuring the
stabilization of the situation.

-- We are also studying the possible channels for a national
contribution to the diverse humanitarian assistance
initiatives underway within the international community.

-- The Government has extended the necessary support to
national citizens affected by this conflict, namely through
securing means to guarantee their safe departure from the
region. These (exit) means were also used by citizens from
other nations, thereby contributing to the joint efforts
underway.

Lisbon, July 20, 2006

End text.

-------------- --------------
Letter from the Minister of Foreign Relations to his Finnish
Counterpart
-------------- --------------


3. (U) Begin unofficial translation:

-- The Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Luis Amado
wrote to Erkki Tuomioja, his Finnish colleague, the nation
which has the European Union Council Presidency, today,
requesting that he call an extraordinary EU foreign ministers
meeting as soon as possible to discuss the situation in the
Middle East.

-- The fast moving political-diplomatic developments, the
prolonged military confrontations, and the deterioration of
the humanitarian situation justify, to the understanding of
the Portuguese government, the convocation of a meeting at
which such questions can be analyzed and future EU action
addressing this conflict can be clearly defined.

-- This Portuguese Government proposal offers its willingness
to see the EU actively involved in the solution to this
conflict, speaking and acting with one voice and, in this
way, moving towards the hopes of many Europeans who wish to
see the Union as a balancing and stabilizing force in
international relations.

Lisbon, July 23, 2006

End text.

--------------
Comment
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LISBON 00001527 002 OF 002




4. (SBU) In this, his first crisis as Foreign Minister, Luis
Amado is clearly pressing to include Portugal in an
international solution to the Middle East events. His
forward-leaning communiques, which volunteer Portugal in
missions that have yet to be defined, are surprising given
Portugal's limited resources and the active role it is
already playing in East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, and
elsewhere. Nevertheless, mainstream political parties agree
with the GOP's initiative and have publicly backed the plan
in the local media. End comment.
Hoffman