PORTUGAL READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNIFIL MISSION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 001743

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL LE PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNIFIL MISSION,
AWAITING DETAILS

REF: A. STATE 134133

B. DAO LISBON IIR 6879 2003 06

Classified By: Classified by A/Pol/Econ Chief Cari Enav for Reasons 1.4
(a)(b) and (d).

Summary:

1. (C) UNIFIL's mandate, still under discussion, will
determine the type and size of Portugal's contribution to the
force. Portugal has the political will to participate, with
Prime Minister Socrates and his cabinet awaiting
clarification of the mandate before deciding on its force's
composition. At the working level, there is skepticism that
UNIFIL will be able to implement UNSCR 1701 and concern about
Lebanon's ability to support the mission. Absent further
information, the Portuguese military is preparing to
contribute a company or a company plus, or perhaps provide a
Frigate. End Summary


2. (C) Ricardo Pracana, the MFA Chief of Cabinet for the
Director General of Foreign Policy, told the Charge
d'Affaires that Prime Minister Socrates and the relevant
ministers would directly determine the country's contribution
to UNIFIL and were awaiting UN clarification of its mandate.
In a separate conversation with to A/Pol/Econ Chief, MFA
Middle East Desk Officer Fernando Brito underscored
Portugal's desire to support the UN effort and reiterated
that UNIFIL's mandate, specifically the terms of reference,
overall operational concepts, and the rules of engagement
would determine Portugal's contribution.


3. (C) Brito commented that it was critical for UNIFIL's
mandate to enable it to implement UNSCR 1701. UNIFIL forces
would need to be able to confront Hezbollah and/or confiscate
Hezbollah rocket launchers and weapons. If not, the almost
eight-fold increase in manpower would be a waste. In a
year's time, he added, if nothing had changed on the ground,
it would be difficult to sell continued participation in
UNIFIL's mission to the European public.


4. (C) Brito said Portugal had many other concerns about
Lebanon's ability to keep the peace. He expressed doubts on
the efficiency of the Lebanese Army and concern with regard
to the many Shiite soldiers who identified with Hezbollah.
For example, if UNIFIL forces did confiscate Hezbollah rocket
launchers and handed them over to the Lebanese Army, would
the Army turn around and return them to Hezbollah?
Furthermore, Brito asserted that Lebanese President Siniora's
recent statements also raised concerns about who had more
clout within Lebanon - Siniora or Nasrallah??


5. (C) Given the poor implementation of previous UN
resolutions on Lebanon, Brito was not optimistic about the
success of UNIFIL's ability to fulfill its mandate, whatever
it may be. However, Portugal was going to do its part to
bring all parties to the table to resolve the issues
diplomatically. Brito noted that the EU had taken the
observer seat in the Middle East for too long. The time had
come for Europe and in particular, Portugal, in the run-up to
its EU Presidency in the latter half of 2007 to play a
greater role.


6. (C) With regard to logistics, Brito confirmed that
Portugal supported France taking the UNIFIL lead, especially
given its experience in the region. Portugal also supported
the participation of Muslim troops, e.g. from Turkey,
Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. but commented that it would be a
challenge to ensure that some troops did not favor Hezbollah.
He did not envy UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alain
Pelligrini who would likely have to micromanage the troops to
ensure uniform implementation.


7. (C) Separately, Lieutenant General David de Almeida
Oliveira, Chief of Joint Staff Operations, told Defense
Attache, that absent further information and given Portugal's
limited resources, Portugal would likely deploy either a
company (150 troops) or a company plus (250 troops) or in
turn a frigate. There were neither funds nor equipment to
support a larger force. (Ref B)


7. (C) Comment: Portugal wants to increase its profile on
the global stage, especially in the run-up to its EU
Presidency. Tired of sitting on the sidelines for too long,
Portugal wants to use its good relations with Arab countries
to play a greater role in the Middle East and is putting its

LISBON 00001743 002.2 OF 002


money where its mouth is - not an easy task for this
financially strapped nation whose forces are already
stretched thin in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, the
Congo and East Timor. In addition to contributing to UNIFIL,
FM Amado will be traveling to Libya, Egypt and Jordan the
week on August 21 to discuss events in the region. (Septel)



O'Neal