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