(U) KUDOS FOR GUINEA-BISSAU REPORTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 044197 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2034 TAGS: PINR MARR MOPS PGOV PU SUBJECT: (U) KUDOS FOR GUINEA-BISSAU REPORTING (C-AL9-00589) REF: A. LISBON 000137 ¶B. LISBON 000129 Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (C) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS WOULD LIKE TO THANK POST FOR PROVIDING VALUABLE UPDATES ON LISBON'S MONITORING OF EVENTS IN GUINEA-BISSAU, AS WELL AS PORTUGUESE EFFORTS TO STABILIZE THE COUNTRY AFTER THE DOUBLE MURDERS OF THE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF THE ARMED FORCES. ANALYSTS WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE CONTINUED REPORTING ON THE CRISIS. TOPICS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST INCLUDE ANY PREPARATIONS IN BISSAU FOR ELECTIONS, AND ANY ASSISTANCE PORTUGAL MAY CONSIDER GIVING FOR SUCH ELECTIONS. AS TIME AND RESOURCES ALLOW, ANALYSTS WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: ¶A. (C) WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE IS LISBON PREPARING TO OFFER? 1) (C) HOW MUCH SUCCESS IS LISBON HAVING WITH RAISING THE FOUR MILLION EUROS IT SAYS BISSAU NEEDS FOR ELECTIONS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)? 2) (C) WHAT CAN LISBON REASONABLY EXPECT FROM THE EU ON THE HEELS OF ITS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE NOVEMBER 2008 LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS AND PROMISED AID FOR SECURITY SECTOR REFORM? 3) (C) WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE IS LISBON LOOKING TO RECEIVE FROM WASHINGTON? ¶2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-00589 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. CLINTON