FM AMADO TRAVELS TO MIDDLE EAST IN EFFORT TO RAISE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001768

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE AND EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PO EG JO LY
SUBJECT: FM AMADO TRAVELS TO MIDDLE EAST IN EFFORT TO RAISE
PORTUGAL'S PROFILE

REF: LISBON 1743

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


1. (SBU) Summary: FM Luis Amado will be traveling to Libya,
Cairo and Amman the week of August 21 as part of Portugal's
effort to play a larger role in the international arena,
particularly in the Middle East, in the run-up to its EU
Presidency during the latter half of 2007. Minister Amado
plans to discuss the major regional issues -
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Syria, and
Iran - with his counterparts in Cairo and Amman. Talks in
Libya will focus on opening a mission there. End Summary


2. (C) On August 17, MFA Middle East Desk Officer Fernando
Brito outlined to A/Pol/Econ Chief the objectives of the
Foreign Minister's Aug 21-23 visit to Cairo, Amman and
Tripoli. He noted that Minister Amado will travel to Cairo
to speak with officials there about the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and solicit views on Hamas and Fatah. Brito
commented that the EU was at a crossroads and would need to
reconcile its views towards Hamas which it listed as a
terrorist organization and towards Hezbollah which it did
not. He noted that both organizations were represented in
their respective governments, adding that in the former case,
Hamas was the government. Brito underscored that the EU
needed to figure out a way to deal with Hamas since he feared
that isolating Hamas would only provide the organization with
an excuse for its failures, allowing Hamas to blame its
problems on the international community. Brito noted that
Amado was also very interested in discussing the recent
conflict in Lebanon and the way forward, especially in light
of Portugal's intention to contribute to the UNIFIL mission
there. (Ref A)


3. (C) Minister Amado will also solicit Egyptian officials'
viewpoints on the agenda for the EU-Africa Summit Portugal is
planning for its EU Presidency in the latter half of 2007.
Brito noted that Egypt was very active in African affairs and
had much to contribute. On the bilateral front, Amado will
be seeking to strengthen ties between the diplomatic training
institutes per a signed Memorandum of Understanding on
cooperation in the field of diplomatic training.


4. (C) In Jordan, in addition to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, discussion will focus on Syria, Lebanon and Iran.
Brito asserted that the Syrian regime was very weak and doing
everything possible to remain in power. He described
President Bashir el-Assad as a stooge of Iran which was
working to consolidate its influence in the region. He
commented that Jordan was very concerned about a possible
upheaval in Damascus and its consequences for the region.



5. (SBU) The Foreign Minister is traveling to Tripoli to
discuss opening a diplomatic mission there later this year.
Portugal and Libya established relations in 1976, but
Portugal's Ambassador currently resides in Tunis. Amado last
traveled to Libya in October 2005 in his capacity as Defense
Minister as part of an official delegation led by the Prime
Minister.


6. (C) Comment: We are hearing a strong, consistent message
from our Portuguese counterparts at the Ministries of Foreign
Affairs and Defense - Portugal wants to play a greater role
on the international stage, particularly in the Middle East
where it enjoys good ties with many Arab nations.
Furthermore, Portugal hopes to use its upcoming EU Presidency
to get the EU off the sidelines and back in the BMENA game.
FM Amado -- pro-U.S., deliberate and smart -- is doing his
homework, reaching out to key players, and slowly building
momentum in an effort to maximize the effectiveness of
Portugal's presidency. Despite severe budgetary restraints,
Portugal remains committed to participating in UN and NATO
endeavors around the globe.

O'Neal