PORTUGAL REJECTS EDA FRIGATES

UNCLAS LISBON 002265 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEFENSE PLEASE PASS TO DSCA AND NAVY IPO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL MASS PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL REJECTS EDA FRIGATES ¶1. In a letter from Vice Admiral Viegas Filipe, Director General for Weapons and Defense Procurement, to Embassy Lisbon's Office for Defense Cooperation, the Government of Portugal formally renounced any claim to the two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates offered through the Excess Defense Article (EDA) program. An informal translation of the letter follows. ¶2. Begin text: Ministry of National Defense, Directorate-General for Weapons and Defense Equipment Subject: Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ) USS George Philip (FFG12) and USS John Sides (FFG14) frigates Dear Commander Bradfield: Regarding the offer, on a grant basis, made by the Government of the United States of America, of the Oliver Hazard Perry class USS George Philip (FFG12) and USS John Sides (FFG14) frigates to the Portuguese Navy, His Excellency the National Defense Minister has requested that I express gratitude for the friendly availability demonstrated by your Government and recognition for the efforts made by U.S. authorities on this matter. It is also my duty to inform that, due to the dire need to equip the Portuguese Navy with ships that possess the most uniform logistical and operational requirements; Portugal has sought alternative solutions for the replacement of the Joao Belo class frigates. As such, and because it must seek the most adequate solutions for the operation of the Armed Forces, the Portuguese Government hereby informs that it does not accept the transfer offer of the above-captioned frigates, and reiterates gratitude for U.S. efforts on this matter. I avail myself of this opportunity to present my best and personal (hand-written) regards. //Vice Admiral Carlos Alberto Viegas Filipe, Director-General// End text. Hoffman