PORTUGUESE FM AMADO EXPLAINS STANCE ON KOSOVO,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 001976

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD MARR PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE FM AMADO EXPLAINS STANCE ON KOSOVO,
AFGHANISTAN, AND RUSSIA; ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER KOSOVO
RECOGNITION

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas F Stephenson, U.S. Embassy, Lisbon
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

Summary
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1. (C) In a cordial, one-on-one dinner with the Ambassador on
August 7, FM Luis Amado confided that domestic political
considerations and the Portuguese-Serbian relationship had
delayed Portugal's recognition of Kosovo thus far.
Nevertheless, he told the Ambassador that the GOP would
recognize Kosovo sometime in the first week of September.
Amado reiterated his earlier opposition to withdrawal of
Portuguese commandos from Afghanistan, again laying primary
blame on President Cavaco Silva, and expressed his support
for recommitment of Special Forces to the theatre as soon as
possible. He also expressed the GOP's backing for sanctions
in Iran and voiced concerns regarding Russia's attempts to
"encircle Europe" by using its control of energy supplies and
transmission facilities. End Summary.

Kosovo
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2. (C) During a candid one-on-one dinner that the Ambassador
hosted at the Residence on August 7, FM Amado confided that
Portugal was preparing to recognize Kosovo as an independent
state the first week of September. Amado offered more
details on Portugal's hesitancy than we had received before.
He explained that the delay was a result of Portugal's
relationship with Serbia and, to a lesser extent, an attempt
to prevent internal political divisions. Portugal
established itself as a neutral interlocutor with the Serbian
government during its EU presidency last fall, and continues
to maintain a relatively open stance towards Serbia among EU
nations. Amado claimed Portugal's good bilateral
relationship had left the GOP reluctant to join the ranks of
nations estranged from Serbia over Kosovo recognition. Amado
also confided that Serbian FM Jeremic personally had
requested that Portugal hold off on recognizing Kosovo until
September to allow Serbia to save face and avoid breaking
diplomatic ties with Portugal over the issue. Since Serbia's
government is in the process of reestablishing relations with
European nations that had recognized Kosovo earlier this
year, Portugal plans to move forward on recognition too.
Amado told the Ambassador that his office is preparing the
paperwork for Parliament's approval.


3. (C) Amado also mentioned that a second impediment to the
GOP's recognition of Kosovo was a result of GOP concerns that
Kosovo recognition would unite rightist and leftist parties
against the ruling Socialist and Social Democratic governing
parties. He said the GOP had believed that waiting would
defuse the political storm and allow the Socrates
Administration to forge consensus on this issue.

AFRICOM
--------------


4. (C) Turning to the issue of establishing a base for
AFRICOM in Europe, FM Amado stressed Portugal's interest in
hosting AFRICOM and outlined Portugal's suitability for the
role. In particular, Amado emphasized Portugal's "special
relationship" with Africa and noted that Portugal had ability
to serve as an honest broker with African nations without
facing the tensions encountered by other former colonial
powers.

Afghanistan
--------------


5. (C) Amado restated his personal opposition to Portugal's
withdrawal of Portuguese commandos from Afghanistan and
claimed that President Cavaco Silva had been the main
proponent for drawing down the troops rotated out last week.
Amado added that he was in favor of rotating Special Forces
back into the theatre soon, which Cavaco Silva has left open
as a future possibility. While the Ambassador noted that
Portugal's two OMLT commitments were welcome, he stressed
that the Special Forces would be helpful as well. The
Ambassador told Amado that it was not helpful for an
established and loyal supporter of the mission to leave at
this point. Both agreed that NATO's credibility is at stake
in the ISAF mission.

Iran Sanctions

LISBON 00001976 002 OF 002


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6. (C) Portugal shares U.S. concerns over Iran's weapons
program and fully supports additional sanctions against Iran,
according to Amado. While Amado made it clear that the GOP
favored ongoing talks over additional sanctions, he conceded
that the clock was running out for a non-military response to
Iran's nuclear program. Amado also confirmed that Portugal's
major petroleum company Galp had not established any deals
with Iran and that his talks with major shareholder Americo
Amorim had reassured him that Galp was not planning to move
beyond discussions with Iran in the near term.

Russia
--------------


7. (C) When Amado raised the issue of Portugal's concern over
U.S.-Russian tensions, the Ambassador responded that the U.S.
was in continuing discussions with Russia to resolve our
areas of disagreement. He admitted, however, that several
important policy issues remain problematic in our
relationship. Amado concurred with the Ambassador's
expressed concerns about Russia attempting to "encircle
Europe" by exerting control over energy supplies and
transmission facilities. In response, Amado mentioned that
Portugal was diversifying its energy supply to other nations,
most recently Libya. Amado admitted, however, that Portugal
was careful to avoid antagonizing Russia by pushing on areas
of disagreement.

Lajes Utility
--------------

8.(C) The Ambassador told Amado that he was pleased to see
that Portuguese officials were proposing future cooperation
projects and seeking ways to keep its mission relevant. They
both agreed that the proposed U.S. Congressional earmark to
pay for the past wage gap at the base was a welcome solution
to that issue.

Comment
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9. (C) Amado offered us the most candid explanation for
Portugal's reluctance over Kosovo provided to date. He was
careful to stress that Portugal had not based its decision on
Spain, as some speculated, but rather as a result of
bilateral political considerations. His explanation makes
sense, and is in keeping with Portugal's actions up to this
point, but the GOP had been cagey about explaining its
motivations up until now. Amado was just as forthcoming on
his personal views regarding Special Forces in Afghanistan;
however it is unlikely that he will lead a charge for their
reinstatement. Amado made it clear that he would like to
keep meeting every few months to build on our good
relationship and suggested he host the Ambassador for lunch
at the MFA in early October following the UNGA meetings in
New York. End comment.
Stephenson