PORTUGAL SIDES WITH NATO ON US MISSILE ASSET ISSUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000550 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR FRIED, DESUTTER, ROOD, NSC FOR STEPHENS, ANSLEY, AND OSD/P FOR GREEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2017 TAGS: MARR PREL PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SIDES WITH NATO ON US MISSILE ASSET ISSUE REF: SECSTATE 21640 Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Pol-Econ officer outlined our concerns regarding the recent Russian threats against Poland and the Czech Republic in a meeting with MFA Disarmament and Security Officer Felipe Ramalheira. Ramalheira welcomed the information about the consultations with Russia and noted that he had not been aware of those meetings or of Poland and the Czech Republic's expressed interest in hosting U.S. defense assets. ¶2. (C) Ramalheira assured us that the issue would be discussed at the next EU meeting on global disarmament and underscored that Portugal's position will be in keeping with other NATO allies. He speculated that Russia's current criticism reflects their resentment for having U.S. assets in such close proximity, but acknowledged that the intent was to protect Central Europe from a possible Middle East attack. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Portugal will continue to support its NATO partners in matters involving Russia and NATO in the foreseeable future. End Comment. Hoffman