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