PORTUGALS VIEWS ON NSG, GLOBAL INTIATIVE, AND PSI

UNCLAS LISBON 001467

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR ISN, EUR, AND T

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MCAP PARM PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGALS VIEWS ON NSG, GLOBAL INTIATIVE, AND PSI

REF: A. STATE 69315

B. STATE 69283

C. LISBON 1211

D. STATE 71024


1. (U) Visiting ISN/CPI Director Tony Foley called on
Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Security and
Disarmament Director Joao Corte Real May 3 to discuss issues
before the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG),the Proliferation
Security Initiativ (PSI),and the Global Initiative to
Combat Nuclar Terrorism.


2. (SBU) NSG: Corte Real supportd the Ref A proposal
regarding sharing Iran expot denial information. He noted
that the Portuguese have received no requests from the
Iranians so they have nothing to report, but that they
supported the coordination efforts. Corte Real also agreed
with the proposed agenda for a special session on Iran and
noted that Portugal would attend the proposed session in
Vienna (Ref B). He said that the European Union had a strong
policy on Iran that goes further than the United Nations.
Corte Real also asked if the US intended to propose a special
session for India. Foley noted that the negotiations with
India needed to be completed before such a session could be
proposed.


3. (U) Global Initiative: As reported Ref C, Portugal
expects to join the Global Initiative soon. Corte Real noted
that they agree with all of the principles involved and are
drafting a Note Verbale that they will pass to the embassy.
He added that they will attend the next meeting in Astana
11-12 June. Corte Real strongly suggested that the Global
Initiative include the European Commission as a participant,
given that many aspects of the issue traditionally managed by
national governments have been ceded to the EC. Corte Real
admitted that international organizations do not
traditionally enter into such fora, but in this case the EC
is the responsible actor.


4. (U) PSI: Corte Real confirmed that the Portuguese will
attend the exercise in Newport, but will not have as many
participants as predicted. The demands of the EU presidency
have limited the availability of some officials, so Portugal
will have four or five participants representing several
agencies. Nonetheless, Corte Real noted Portugal,s strong
support for PSI (Ref D).
Hoffman