Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE14246
2008-02-11 22:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE REQUEST: URGING PORTUGAL TO ACTION AS

Tags:  KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA PO AO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHC #4246 0422214
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P R 112211Z FEB 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 0000
INFO RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0000
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0000
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 014246 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA PO AO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: URGING PORTUGAL TO ACTION AS
COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES CHAIR


Classified By: EUR/WE Director Allegrone under E.O. 12958,1.4(b) & (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 014246

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA PO AO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: URGING PORTUGAL TO ACTION AS
COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES CHAIR


Classified By: EUR/WE Director Allegrone under E.O. 12958,1.4(b) & (d)


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 3-5.

SUMMARY
--------------


2. (U) Post is requested to approach the MFA at the

appropriate levels to urge their strong leadership of the
Community of Democracies (CD) and to solicit their views on
priorities for their Chairmanship over the next two years.
The U.S. would like the Portuguese to take the initiative in
the CD so that the Community truly becomes a global project
of many partners. We are pleased that Portugal appears
already to be working on reinvigorating the UN Democracy
Caucus. The U.S. also looks forward to working in
partnership with the Portuguese Embassy in Washington. This
cable provides high-level objectives and specific examples
and issues to pursue with the Portuguese.

OBJECTIVES
--------------


3. (U) Post is requested to pursue the following objectives:

-- Encourage strong leadership from Portugal to strengthen
the CD's commitment to its stated values through action.
Note that the U.S. stands ready to support Portugal.

-- Solicit GOP views on priorities for the CD during
Portugal's Chairmanship. How does Portugal plan to
operationalize its chairmanship of the CD process? Who will
lead the effort within the MFA?

-- Encourage Portugal to share priorities with the Convening
Group and to begin active preparation for the Lisbon
Ministerial to occur in 2009.


4. (U) If appropriate, post may offer the following three
overarching themes, which the U.S. has identified to advance
the CD, as well as questions to consider:

-- An action-Oriented Organization. Encourage the CD to
undertake action-oriented projects, vice simply participating
in talk-shops at both the Working Group level and at the
Ministerial. Should the themes of the working groups change,
or should more themes be added?

-- Consolidated CD Structures. Establish the Permanent

Secretariat to support the Chair and the Convening Group (CG)

SIPDIS
in its work. Institutionalize the role of the
Non-governmental International Advisory Committee. How does
Portugal envision improving the CD invitation process and the
rules for engagement on the ground at the Lisbon Ministerial?
In October, Portugal asked the U.S. to help identify future
chairs for the CD and for opinions on a rotation schedule for
the Convening Group. While considering options on rotation
of Convening Group members, the U.S. is willing to assist in
the identification of future CD Chairs, and has been
approached by Lithuania and Mongolia with interest in hosting
the CD in 2011 and 2013, respectively. (Note: Mongolia is
holding elections in June 2008. MFA State Secretary Bekhbat
indicated to DRL AA/S Farrar on February 5 that Mongolia will
wait to make a final decision on an offer to host until after
the new government is elected. Mongolia's preference to host
in 2013 rather than 2011 -- when an Asian country should
host, according to regional rotation by the Chair -- creates
an additional complication. If Mongolia agrees to host,
Mongolia should be asked to host in 2011 per past regional
rotation order. (Past order has been Europe, Asia, Western
Hemisphere, Africa.) End Note.) Has Portugal been
approached by any interested parties since October?

-- Multilateral Engagement. We understand that Portugal is
starting to think about ways the UN Democracy Caucus can be
more effective. Portugal's recent EU Presidency uniquely
positions them to lead the CD to take a more active role
through the UN Democracy Caucus on democracy and human rights
promotion in the UN system. We look forward to working with
Portugal on these initiatives, and will be interested in any
specific views the Portuguese have with respect to the work
of the Caucus, both in New York and elsewhere (such as Geneva
and Paris).


5. (U) Angola's historic elections in September 2008 offer
an early opportunity to strengthen the CD's role as an
action-oriented organization. Post should encourage the
Portuguese to use their tenure as CD Chair to encourage
consolidation of Angola's ongoing democratic transition,
specifically in holding peaceful, credible elections. Post
may draw on the points below in discussing specific
activities with the Portuguese.

-- Recalling the CD's role in East Timor's democratic
elections, we believe Angola's upcoming legislative elections
offer the CD a chance to build its own capacity, while
simultaneously making a real impact in strengthening
democracy.

-- Portugal, as current Chair of the CD, and because of its
historic, cultural, and linguistic ties to Angola, is in an
ideal leadership position to guide a strategy for CD outreach
to Angola.

-- One suggestion for such a strategy would be to explain the
purpose and structure of the CD to the Angolans and offer to
help chart a path to Angolan participation as observers at
the 2009 ministerial. Angola's participation in the next
ministerial would signal to the world its transition to the
community of global democracy; a path we hope will lead to
full membership as the democratic transition is consolidated.

-- Such a strategy could also include a visit by
representatives of the CD to Angola to meet with Government
officials responsible for election planning, civil society
organizations, opposition parties, and media. The CD's trip
would be certain to gain public attention, and would itself
bolster the Angolan democratic process.

-- The U.S. supports several NGOs currently working on the
ground in Angola (NDI, IRI, IFES),and has a strong
relationship with the Independent Electoral Commission.
While we would envision Portugal taking the lead in its role
as Chair, the U.S. and others, including perhaps Brazil,
could be called upon to play supporting roles.

-- We are interested in hearing your thoughts on such a plan
to support Angola's transition to democracy. As you know,
Angola's historic elections are scheduled for September so
time is a factor.

REPORTING DEADLINE
--------------


6. (U) Embassy is requested to report results of efforts by
cable to DRL/MLGA Laura Jordan, G Joaquin Ferrao, EUR/WE
Kevin Opstrup, and AF/S Chris Karber before February 19.

BACKGROUND
--------------


7. (SBU) On February 7 G Staff Joaquin Ferrao and DRL/MLGA
foreign affairs officer Laura Jordan met with Portuguese
Emboff Bernardo Cunha to inquire after the latest GOP plans
for the CD and to preview some of the ideas laid out in this
cable. Cunha responded enthusiastically to the idea of CD
outreach to Angola, and committed to explore ways in which
current Portuguese efforts (and Community of Portuguese
Language Countries (CPLP) efforts) could be coordinated.
Cunha privately suggested the idea of CD coming up with its
own elections observation team to send to Angola at their
invitation (if that could be obtained),because "the OSCE
won't do elections in Africa." Ferrao cautioned Cunha that -
beyond the challenge of obtaining Angola's ok for such a
mission, as well as turning Angola's attention to the CD -
the CD's current capabilities make it doubtful that an
observation mission could be organized by September 08.
Ferrao offered to consider other concrete ways to reach out
to Angola that would be of interest to Luanda, but emphasized
the U.S. interest in hearing what ideas the GOP might have
and in supporting those initiatives in the background. Cunha
appreciated the U.S. desire to take a step to the background
in an effort to globalize the CD, and said he would get back
to us soon.


8. (C//NF) Portugal has created a plan for its role as Chair
of the CD, including a request for an Ambassador-at-Large, a
travel budget for the Ambassador, and a budget to run the CD
process, and a memorandum detailing GOP priorities for the CD
to be approved by the Minister. We understand the memo has
gained the support of Secretary of State Cravinho and has
been awaiting approval on the Minister's desk since early
January. The Embassy and the MFA are aware that several
months of its Chairmanship have already passed. Cunha said
nothing further can take place without the Minister's
approval, noting that at this point it is a "political
decision" to move forward. The Embassy has asked that the
U.S. go to the Minister "at the highest level" to request
movement on the proposals. Cunha panned any idea of reaching
out to the MFA at a lower level, because this would only be
preaching to the choir, and thus a waste of Embassy time.

POINT OF CONTACT
--------------


9. (U) Please contact DRL/MLGA Laura Jordan at (202)
647-3088 or via e-mail for any necessary further background
information or argumentation to meet our objectives.
RICE