Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LISBON2361
2006-10-20 11:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

VENUE FOR 2008 NATO SUMMIT

Tags:  PO PREL MARR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0012
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #2361 2931117
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 201117Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5278
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0185
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002361 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2016
TAGS: PO PREL MARR
SUBJECT: VENUE FOR 2008 NATO SUMMIT

REF: SECSTATE 175933

Classified By: DCM Adrienne O'Neal for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002361

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2016
TAGS: PO PREL MARR
SUBJECT: VENUE FOR 2008 NATO SUMMIT

REF: SECSTATE 175933

Classified By: DCM Adrienne O'Neal for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) DCM Adrienne O'Neal contacted the Foreign Minister's
Chief of Cabinet Francisco Ribeiro de Menezes per reftel to
inform him that, although the U.S. appreciates Portugal's
interest in hosting the NATO summit and that Lisbon is an
attractive option for a NATO summit overall, that the U.S.
will be supporting Bucharest's bid to host in 2008. She
noted that Bucharest is a symbolically more compelling
location and related President Bush's call to enlarge the
organization. O'Neal stressed that we were letting Portugal
know in advance of the announcement to other Allies as a
courtesy and that we regret not being able to support
Portugal's bid.


2. (SBU) Ribeiro de Menezes replied that he appreciated the
special courtesy of advance notice. He reported that
Portugal had made a bid on the 2007 summit and withdrawn
early with hopes of hosting in 2008. Although Portugal
understands the symbolism of hosting summits in new NATO
member states, Ribeiro de Menezes argued that such a
consideration had been accomplished already with the Riga
Summit. Lastly, he inquired about the timing on notifying
other allies and was informed that the announcement would be
public soon. Ribeiro de Menezes said he would follow up if
Portugal had further comment.


3. (C) Comment: Our decision and announcement clearly took
Ribeiro de Menezes off-guard but the advance warning seems to
have made the decision more palatable. End comment.
Hoffman