PORTUGAL SUPPORTS DRAFT EXCEPTION TEXT FOR INDIA

UNCLAS LISBON 002029 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN AND SCA, DOE FOR SCHEINMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC AORC PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS DRAFT EXCEPTION TEXT FOR INDIA REF: SECSTATE 85948 ¶1. Charge and his British counterpart John Kraus jointly delivered reftel points to MFA Director for Disarmament and Security Pedro Sousa Abreu and requested Portugal's support for the draft exemption at the August 21 meeting. Sousa Abreu responded that it wouldn't be a problem; the draft is acceptable to the GOP. While he noted that the text would make an exemption for India, and that Portugal was satisfied that the language put the necessary safeguards into place, he emphasized that Portugal believed all exemptions should be on a case by case basis. He added that Portugal was grateful for U.S. efforts to respond to Portugal's initial concerns about the NSG text and said he hopes India also accepts the draft text. ¶2. Portugal's Ambassador in Vienna will lead the GOP delegation at the August 21 meeting. Ballard