PORTUGAL RESPONSE ON CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION AT

UNCLAS LISBON 002745 SIPDIS SIPDIS IO (MARIZ) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UN ETRD PHUM PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL RESPONSE ON CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION AT THE UNGA REF: SECSTATE 148506 ¶1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel points, stressing that the embargo was a matter of bilateral policy and that the UN resolution was an attempt to deflect the international community's attention away from the ongoing human rights crisis in Cuba. MFA International Affairs Officer Miguel Maia do Vale acknowledged the message but replied that Portugal would follow the EU's common position when voting. He mentioned that Portugal was aware of our defense of the embargo but tended to follow the EU's finding that the embargo was illegal under international law. ¶2. (U) Comment: It is unlikely that Portugal will abstain or vote against this measure at the October 30 vote since any major departure would have been carefully discussed among member states. End comment. Hoffman