Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON584
2008-03-07 12:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL WAITING FOR EU GUIDANCE ON VISA WAIVER
how-toVZCZCXRO8357 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHLI #0584 0671216 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 071216Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6684 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
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
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
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