PORTUGUESE FM TESTIFIES AGAIN REGARDING ALLEGED

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000457 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE FM TESTIFIES AGAIN REGARDING ALLEGED CIA FLIGHTS REF: A. LISBON 345 ¶B. 06 LISBON 2841 ¶C. 06 LISBON 2365 ¶D. 06 LISBON 1921 Classified By: POL CHIEF TROY FITRELL, REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (U) As predicted Ref (A),alleged CIA rendition flights remain front-page news in Portugal, recently stimulated by the European Parliament's report and the Portuguese Foreign Minister,s testimony in the National Assembly. Foreign Minister Luis Amado appeared before the National Assembly once again on February 16 to reiterate that there is no evidence of any wrong-doing by his or previous governments. ¶2. (U) The Foreign Minister stated that the Government of Portugal was dissatisfied with the European Parliament report and noted that the report did not cite any evidence of illegalities committed on Portuguese territory. He continued that until it is proven that there was an illegal action on the part of his or previous governments regarding the alleged rendition flights, his obligation is to defend previous governments. He further said that "Guantanamo is a disgrace but it is not our problem," clarifying that Guantanamo is a military base with a long history, and that flights to Guantanamo would not necessarily have anything to do with the detention facility there. ¶3. (C) Comment: The Portuguese Public Ministry's Central Investigation and Prosecution Department (DCIAP) continues to review the allegations put forth by crusading journalists and politicians. The next iteration of headlines will likely involve any actions or statements from DCIAP. The Embassy will keep a low profile regarding the prosecutor's review, as any expression of USG interest in the outcome is likely to trigger more intensive scrutiny of the allegations. Hoffman