PORTUGUESE NATO CONTRIBUTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002595 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS AF AL HR IZ PO SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE NATO CONTRIBUTIONS REF: A. STATE 97991 ¶B. STATE 99726 ¶C. STATE 99701 Classified By: DEPUTY POL COUNSELOR TROY FITRELL, REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) In response to reftel demarches, Portuguese MFA Deputy Director for Security and Disarmament Paolo Teles da Gama told us September 19 that he had been tasked by Political Director Nuno Brito to develop options for further Portuguese contributions to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. Teles da Gama appreciated our Ref A suggestion of a $2 million per year contribution, but suggested that contributions of communications equipment and personnel were more likely. He welcomed our Ref B views on the Shindand incident and agreed that ISAF allies should improve communication and coordination with the Afghan government, a point for which Portuguese communications contributions might be useful. ¶2. (C) In contrast to the ISAF tasking from his superiors, Teles da Gama said his office had received no requests to consider expanded contributions to the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I). He said he had provided info on Portugal's NTM-I contributions to date to Brito and Foreign Minister Amado, in light of the Iraq event at the UN General Assembly session. Teles da Gama promised to update the briefing materials based on our Ref C request. ¶3. (C) Regarding ratification of NATO membership for Albania and Croatia, Teles da Gama said that the administrative process is complete except for approval from the Minister of Defense, which is expected soon. As soon as that is received, the government will be ready to submit the legislation to the Portuguese parliament. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) That Portugal is already amenable to additional contributions to ISAF is useful, as is the knowledge that they have not actively considered doing likewise for NTM-I. We recommend these issues be priorities for upcoming meetings between senior U.S. and Portuguese officials. STEPHENSON