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