PORTUGAL/EU BACK BALANCE ON GAZA AT GAERC/GYMNICH

UNCLAS LISBON 000155 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL/EU BACK BALANCE ON GAZA AT GAERC/GYMNICH ¶1. (SBU) On March 13 Portugal's MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Florbela Cardy said the EU generally shares US positions about Bosnia/Herzegovina, Belarus, Sudan, and the Israel-Palestinian Peace Process as outlined in our talking points for the March GAERC. Cardy told us Montenegro, Transnistria, and Iran are not on the agenda. ¶2. (SBU) Bosnia: Cardy confirmed that Austrian Ambassador Valentin Inzko has been named EU Special Representative in Sarejevo. The EU continues to support full implementation of the Peace Implementation Council's five objectives and two conditions before transition to an enhanced EU Special Representative mission in Bosnia, and Cardy said progress had been made toward strengthened EU engagement with Bosnia. ¶3. (SBU) Belarus: Cardy said despite recent negative human rights actions by Belarus, there have been positive steps and Belarus' participation in the Eastern Partnership Initiative (EaP) is being considered. The EU favors continued engagement with Belarus to encourage positive progress and will extend suspension of travel bans of the Belarus officials. ¶4. (SBU) Sudan: The EU believes the Government of Sudan must comply with UN resolutions and respect the independence and decisions of the International Criminal Court. ¶5. (SBU) Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process: The EU supports Quartet efforts, the formation of a National Unity Government and calls on both parties to fully implement UNSCR 1860. ¶6. (SBU) Cardy said transatlantic relations, including broadening international support for closing the Guantanamo detention facility, will be discussed at lunch, in preparation for the April 5 US-EU summit in Brussels. For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal, please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal STEPHENSON