PORTUGAL DOES NOT AGREE ON CUBA EMBARGO AND ONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002544 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL DOES NOT AGREE ON CUBA EMBARGO AND ONE RETALIATORY RESOLUTION IN UN THIRD COMMITTEE REF: A. STATE 182099 ¶B. STATE 182267 ¶C. STATE 183547 ¶D. STATE 184156 Classified By: POL CHIEF TROY FITRELL, REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Portugal agrees with many of the U.S. issues regarding pending Third Committee resolutions, except for the Cuba Embargo Resolution and the retaliatory Protecting Human Rights and Freedoms while Countering Terrorism Resolution. Interlocutors noted that Portugal will consider any EU consensus, but intends to argue in favor of the Embargo resolution, against the Australian amendment, and in favor of the Protecting Human Rights resolution. End summary. ¶2. (U) At the working level, we approached Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices on each of the Reftel issues related to pending resolutions in the United Nations Third Committee, meeting with representatives from the Latin America, United Nations, and Human Rights offices. Cuba -------------- ¶3. (C) Regarding Reftels A and D, Manuela Caldas Faria and Leandro Amado, both of the Latin America office, and Ana Brito of the United Nations office noted that they had just received the text of the Australian amendment to the Cuba Embargo Resolution. Each noted that they would consider European Union consensus, but that Portugal would vote against the amendment and for the resolution. They said they oppose the embargo on Cuba on the grounds of extraterritoriality and believed that the Australian amendment introduced a subject, human rights, which they believed should remain separate. Nonetheless, Brito noted that they intended to use the Explanation of Vote to make a forceful statement on the human rights situation in Cuba. Country Specific Human Rights Resolutions -------------- ¶4. (C) Regarding Reftels B and C, Brito noted that Portugal agreed to cosponsor each of the five country specific resolutions supported by the U.S., and would lobby other nations to support them as well. Brito also noted that Portugal would oppose most of the retaliatory resolutions listed in Ref C, with the exception of the Protecting Human Rights and Freedoms while Countering Terrorism Resolution. Portugal intended to support this resolution, Brito said, as part of a general concern for detainee rights, including extraordinary renditions of suspected terrorists. Brito noted that Portugal is unhappy with the failure of the Human Rights Council to address all of the Ref B and C issues effectively. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Portugal,s stands regarding the Cuba resolution, the Australian amendment, and the retaliatory resolution are unfortunate, but are in line with Portugal,s voting record in past Third Committee sessions. Interlocutors did note that they would consider joining an EU consensus, should their EU allies decide to vote in a more favorable manner. Brito,s mention of detainee rights reflects on-going pressure on the Portuguese government by the EU Parliament and crusading journalists in regard to alleged rendition flights landing on Portuguese territory. Hoffman