Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON2595
2008-09-19 17:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGUESE NATO CONTRIBUTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO7082 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLI #2595 2631718 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 191718Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7035 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0058 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0064
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)
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
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