PORTUGAL ON 64TH UNGA GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000495 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2019 TAGS: PREL UNGA XA XB XD XF XG XS XM XL PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON 64TH UNGA GOALS AND OBJECTIVES REF: STATE 90254 Classified By: Mario Fernandez, Pol-Econ Officer, reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Poleconoff delivered reftel points on September 4 to Goncalo Silvestre of the Portuguese MFA Directorate for International Organizations and discussed the points further on September 11 with Joao Ribeiro de Almeida, Portugal's MFA Director for Common Foreign and Security Policy and European Correspondent. Ribeiro confirmed that the Portuguese delegation to the 64th UNGA would focus on nonproliferation and disarmament as it relates to Iran and peacekeeping and conflict management as it relates to Afghanistan. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Nonproliferation and Disarmament: At the outset, Ribeiro stated that the UNGA was the proper venue to address Iran's nuclear program but expressed concern that Iran would continue to use delaying tactics during the event. He lamented that, despite significant international efforts, there had been no major breakthroughs thus far and maintained that Iran needed to see consequences of the lack of progress. He opined that it was essential for China and Russia to endorse sanctions. At the same time, he voiced his personal belief that Russia would be difficult to persuade and China appeared to have no interest in the issue. Ribeiro noted that the EU was considering imposing independent sanctions on Iran, though the precise nature of those sanctions had yet to be "studied" and probably would not take place before the end of the year, after the international community had redoubled its efforts in September and October. He concluded by saying that Portugal was supportive of multilateral efforts to address Iran's nuclear program. If those efforts did not succeed, "as we fully expect," however, Portugal would support "autonomous" EU sanctions. ¶3. (C) Peacekeeping and Conflict Management: Ribeiro acknowledged that the Afghan elections represented an important step towards democracy. He immediately added, however, that perhaps the real lesson of the elections was that significant challenges remained ahead. Noting that the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) had found "clear evidence" of fraud in the elections, he expressed his belief that the EU should lend "visible support" to the ECC's call for a recount in certain areas. However, Ribeiro acknowledged that the situation was still in flux and issues could only be addressed after the vote count was completed. He underscored that the international community should not yet discuss "exit strategies" but only "transitional strategies." He concluded that the EU should not lose sight of the goal in Afghanistan, which he characterized as "ensuring stability, instituting governance, and promoting rule of law." For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal, please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal BALLARD