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