PORTUGAL WAITING FOR EU GUIDANCE ON VISA WAIVER

UNCLAS LISBON 000584 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/PGI IWEINSTEIN AND EUR/ERA PWALTER; DEPT ALSO PASS TO DHS/OIA MSCARDAVILLE AND DHS/VWPO MFREY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KJUS KPAO CMGT CVIS PGOV PREL PTER PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL WAITING FOR EU GUIDANCE ON VISA WAIVER PROGRAM REF: SECSTATE 21769 ¶1. (SBU) On March 5, 2008, Embassy Lisbon's Consul General delivered reftel points to representatives at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, top officials indicated that Portugal 'fully shares' the EU Commission's view that visa waiver negotiations must occur at the EU level. Director of Visa Services, Lubelia Gomes, and Division Chief of Visa Services and the Movement of People, Sonia Melo e Castro, stated unequivocally that Portugal will await the outcome of current US-EU discussions before considering other options. ¶2. (SBU) In contrast, the Assistant Secretary of State for Internal Affairs at the Ministry of the Interior, Jose Magalhaes, suggested that Portugal's position may be more nuanced, with a 'Plan A' and a 'Plan B.' He expressed confidence that diplomatic hurdles will be overcome and an agreement amenable to all parties will be reached. He added that VWP is currently the subject of a great deal of discussion and debate at high levels in both the MFA and MOI. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Post more readily accepts the assessment of our higher level MOI contact, who has been a forthcoming and reliable contact on past visa issues. Stephenson