Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON2765
2008-12-11 09:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL TO SEND MEDICAL UNIT TO AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO3561 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLI #2765 3460943 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 110943Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7213 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002765
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL AF PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL TO SEND MEDICAL UNIT TO AFGHANISTAN
REF: A. LISBON 2379
B. LISBON 2595
Classified By: DEPUTY POL/ECON COUNSELOR TROY FITRELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (
b, d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002765
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL AF PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL TO SEND MEDICAL UNIT TO AFGHANISTAN
REF: A. LISBON 2379
B. LISBON 2595
Classified By: DEPUTY POL/ECON COUNSELOR TROY FITRELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (
b, d)
1. (C/NF) Jorge Roza de Oliveira, Diplomatic Adviser to
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, told us December 5
that Portugal would provide additional contributions to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
in the wake of the Portuguese C-130,s December 2008
departure.
2. (C/NF) Roza de Oliveira said that Portugal would provide a
medical team to the Kabul Airport hospital for all of
calendar year 2009. The medical team would consist of three
four-month deployments of 15 personnel. Roza de Oliveira
also told us that there was no established withdrawal date
for the current Portuguese Operational Mentoring and Liaison
Team (OMLT) that was expected to depart this month. The
deployment date for the second promised Portuguese OMLT is
under evaluation, but Roza de Oliveira stressed that it was a
separate deployment and not a replacement for the existing
OMLT.
Comment
--------------
3. (C/NF) We had previously reported on the possibility of a
medical team deployment, but are pleased that the required
planning and execution is so far along. Portuguese
politicians, including the Foreign and Defense Ministers,
have made vague promises of additional ISAF contributions
linked to a request from the new U.S. administration, but
officials have privately noted that additional combat forces
are unlikely before the Portuguese elections in autumn 2009.
We will continue to push for an early deployment date for the
second OMLT.
STEPHENSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL AF PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL TO SEND MEDICAL UNIT TO AFGHANISTAN
REF: A. LISBON 2379
B. LISBON 2595
Classified By: DEPUTY POL/ECON COUNSELOR TROY FITRELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (
b, d)
1. (C/NF) Jorge Roza de Oliveira, Diplomatic Adviser to
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, told us December 5
that Portugal would provide additional contributions to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
in the wake of the Portuguese C-130,s December 2008
departure.
2. (C/NF) Roza de Oliveira said that Portugal would provide a
medical team to the Kabul Airport hospital for all of
calendar year 2009. The medical team would consist of three
four-month deployments of 15 personnel. Roza de Oliveira
also told us that there was no established withdrawal date
for the current Portuguese Operational Mentoring and Liaison
Team (OMLT) that was expected to depart this month. The
deployment date for the second promised Portuguese OMLT is
under evaluation, but Roza de Oliveira stressed that it was a
separate deployment and not a replacement for the existing
OMLT.
Comment
--------------
3. (C/NF) We had previously reported on the possibility of a
medical team deployment, but are pleased that the required
planning and execution is so far along. Portuguese
politicians, including the Foreign and Defense Ministers,
have made vague promises of additional ISAF contributions
linked to a request from the new U.S. administration, but
officials have privately noted that additional combat forces
are unlikely before the Portuguese elections in autumn 2009.
We will continue to push for an early deployment date for the
second OMLT.
STEPHENSON