Portugal Solicits Information on Behalf of EU on

UNCLAS LISBON 002418 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE Department for EAP/K, EUR/WE, and ISN/C E.O. 12958: NA TAGS: OPDC PREL MNUC KS KN EUN PO SUBJECT: Portugal Solicits Information on Behalf of EU on Contributing to Verification Missions THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. ¶1. (U) In its role as President of the EU Council, Portugal transmitted a diplomatic note, dated September 13, requesting additional information about the nuclear issue in North Korea and how the EU could contribute technical assistance. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests the Department's guidance on how to respond to the Portuguese request. ¶2. (SBU) Begin informal translation of Portuguese dipnote: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its highest compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and hereby requests information regarding the nuclear issue in North Korea. Following the announcement of the suspension of nuclear activities at the Yongbyon Complex last June, the European Union, an international organization over which Portugal currently presides, has come to debate internally the possibility of contributing to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) nuclear verification activities currently underway in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Given the prominent role the United States plays in stabilizing the Korean peninsula - and due to its participation in the Six-Party Talks - it is important for the European Union to be familiar with the position of the United States regarding this topic. In this manner, it would be highly appreciated if the Embassy of the United States could make available, as soon as possible, relevant information about the possibility of contributing either technically or financially to the above-mentioned verification activities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes this opportunity of reiterating to the U.S. Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration. Lisbon, Portugal September 13, 2007 End informal translation. Ballard