PORTUGAL ON JUNE GAERC: EU BALANCED ON

UNCLAS LISBON 000311 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON JUNE GAERC: EU BALANCED ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE ¶1. (SBU) On June 12 Portugal's MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Florbela Cardy said the EU generally shares US positions about the Israel-Palestinian Peace Process, Lebanon, Cuba, Afghanistan/Pakistan, Bosnia, and Sudan, as outlined in our talking points for the June GAERC. Cardy told us Georgia is not on the agenda. ¶2. (SBU) Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process: The EU welcomes the Obama administration's commitment to progress and requests meaningful action by both sides. The EU calls on Israel to openly commit to the two-state solution, freeze all settlement activity on occupied lands and improve conditions for movement and access to Gaza, while calling for Palestinians to commit to law and order, end all violent activity including rocket attacks on Israel, and implement a verifiable mechanism to prevent arms and munitions smuggling into Gaza. Cardy said the EU calls on both parties to implement their respective Roadmap obligations. ¶3. (SBU) Lebanon: Cardy said the EU commends Lebanon for its successful parliamentary elections and hopes for the timely formation of a new government. ¶4. (SBU) Cuba: The EU agrees with the U.S. points and that improving EU relations with Cuba must be managed on a results-oriented basis to ensure improvement of the Cuban political and human rights environment. Cardy said EU renewal of development cooperation is a tool for improving the lives of the Cuban people. ¶5. (SBU) Afghanistan/Pakistan: Cardy said there will be no debate on Afghanistan/Pakistan but council conclusions will be adopted reiterating the strong EU engagement in the region. ¶6. (SBU) Bosnia: The EU welcomes the renewed U.S. engagement in the region evidenced by Vice President Biden's visit and reiterates the need to continue pressure to stimulate progress toward the "5 2" objectives. ¶7. (SBU) Sudan: The EU cautions nations, particularly the African Union, against using the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan as an excuse not to pressure the Sudanese to comply with decisions of the International Criminal Court and hails the renewed mandate of the Special Rapporteur for human rights. ¶8. (SBU) Guantanamo: Cardy made no mention of last week's EU policy agreement regarding Guantanamo detainees. 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