Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON2728
2008-11-21 15:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL CONCERNED WITH DEA EXPULSION, HOPES EU
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHLI #2728 3261530 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 211530Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7182 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0374 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV LIMA 0134
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002728
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL SNAR PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL CONCERNED WITH DEA EXPULSION, HOPES EU
CONVINCES GOB TO RECONSIDER
REF: SECSTATE 118934
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002728
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL SNAR PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL CONCERNED WITH DEA EXPULSION, HOPES EU
CONVINCES GOB TO RECONSIDER
REF: SECSTATE 118934
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Portugal shares U.S. concerns regarding potential
increased coca cultivation, drug trafficking, and crime as a
result of the GOB's expulsion of the Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA). In response to reftel demarche points, MFA Director
for Latin AMERICA Joao Baptista told us that Portugal and
other EU member states were approving language for a special
Troika meeting with Bolivian President Morales. Baptista
said the EU Troika would stress the message that the European
Union cannot and will not replace the DEA in law enforcement
cooperation to combat drug cultivation in Bolivia. He added
that, even if it wanted to, the EU could not begin such
cooperation until 2011 at the earliest. The EU focus has
been to complement US law enforcement cooperation with social
programs and alternative cultivation efforts, and "there is
no need to fix what isn't broken." Baptista also recommended
that the U.S. approach Brazil to encourage Bolivia to rethink
its decision. Brazil is in a good position to stress the
dangers to neighboring countries and is a more neutral party,
he said.
2. (C) Baptista displayed genuine concern that the DEA
expulsion would directly affect Portugal, which is a major
cocaine gateway for Europe. He told us that Bolivia's move
could have potentially disastrous effects for former
Portuguese colony Guinea-Bissau. He expressed alarm that
Portugal's assistance efforts there, which are already viewed
as the proverbial finger in a dam would be further undermined
by an additional surge of cocaine en route to Europe.
Although Portugal does not have a diplomatic mission in La
Paz, the Portuguese ambassador in Lima is following this
issue closely and encouraging France to take fast action on
behalf of the EU.
BALLARD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL SNAR PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL CONCERNED WITH DEA EXPULSION, HOPES EU
CONVINCES GOB TO RECONSIDER
REF: SECSTATE 118934
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Portugal shares U.S. concerns regarding potential
increased coca cultivation, drug trafficking, and crime as a
result of the GOB's expulsion of the Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA). In response to reftel demarche points, MFA Director
for Latin AMERICA Joao Baptista told us that Portugal and
other EU member states were approving language for a special
Troika meeting with Bolivian President Morales. Baptista
said the EU Troika would stress the message that the European
Union cannot and will not replace the DEA in law enforcement
cooperation to combat drug cultivation in Bolivia. He added
that, even if it wanted to, the EU could not begin such
cooperation until 2011 at the earliest. The EU focus has
been to complement US law enforcement cooperation with social
programs and alternative cultivation efforts, and "there is
no need to fix what isn't broken." Baptista also recommended
that the U.S. approach Brazil to encourage Bolivia to rethink
its decision. Brazil is in a good position to stress the
dangers to neighboring countries and is a more neutral party,
he said.
2. (C) Baptista displayed genuine concern that the DEA
expulsion would directly affect Portugal, which is a major
cocaine gateway for Europe. He told us that Bolivia's move
could have potentially disastrous effects for former
Portuguese colony Guinea-Bissau. He expressed alarm that
Portugal's assistance efforts there, which are already viewed
as the proverbial finger in a dam would be further undermined
by an additional surge of cocaine en route to Europe.
Although Portugal does not have a diplomatic mission in La
Paz, the Portuguese ambassador in Lima is following this
issue closely and encouraging France to take fast action on
behalf of the EU.
BALLARD