PORTUGAL: GAERC CONTINUES TO WAIT ON IRAN

UNCLAS LISBON 000261

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: GAERC CONTINUES TO WAIT ON IRAN


1. (SBU) On May 14 Portugal's MFA Deputy EU Correspondent
Florbela Cardy shared Portugal's views on the May GAERC.
Russia and Moldova are on the morning GAERC agenda, and Iran,
Georgia, and Sri Lanka will be the lunchtime topics. The
afternoon session including ministers of foreign affairs and
defense will address Somalia and Bosnia.


2. (SBU) Russia: Cardy said the EU position on Russia is in
agreement with the U.S., supporting existing institutions and
continuing our unified dialog with Russia. Cardy shared no
details regarding plans for the May 21-22 EU-Russia summit.


3. (SBU) Moldova: Cardy concurred that EU-U.S. coordination
following the April violence in Moldova has been strong and
said the EU continues to monitor the situation as "the normal
political process" is followed by the Moldovan government.


4. (SBU) Iran: The EU encourages Iran to take advantage of
their "golden opportunity" to improve relations with the U.S.
and supports ongoing U.S. efforts toward engagement with
Iran. The EU is pleased by the release of Roxana Saberi but
continues to be concerned about ongoing human rights
violations by the Iranian government. When pressed about the
need for additional EU designations of individuals and
entities associated with proliferation-sensitive activities
Cardy replied that GAERC discussions "have not reached that
level."


5. (SBU) Georgia: Cardy said the EU position on Georgia is
in alignment with U.S. points.


6. (SBU) Sri Lanka: The EU continues the sentiments
expressed at the April GAERC and agrees with President
Obama's May 13 statement.


7. (SBU) Somalia/EUNAVFOR Atalanta Anti-Piracy Mission: The
EU agrees the Somalia situation requires a coordinated effort
to address the violence in the country and the economic and
institutional conditions that contribute to the piracy.
Cardy said the EU strongly supports Operation Atalanta and
the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).


8. (SBU) Bosnia: The EU agrees with the U.S. position.
Cardy said there is agreement for a EUFOR drawdown and
eventual transition to a training and advisory mission but
only after the Peace Implementation Council's benchmarks for
closure of the Office of the High Representative have been
met.


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