Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10LISBON68
2010-02-22 13:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

EU MISSION IN GUINEA-BISSAU: MANDATE RENEWAL

Tags:  PINS PREL PGOV MARR KDEM KJUS PU PO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHIK
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221354Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8119
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBQ/AMEMBASSY BISSAU
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 0001
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 0237
RUEHPA/AMEMBASSY PRAIA 0279
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 000068 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/RSA, AF/W, AND INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PREL PGOV MARR KDEM KJUS PU PO
SUBJECT: EU MISSION IN GUINEA-BISSAU: MANDATE RENEWAL
EXPECTED

LISBON 00000068 001.3 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 000068

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/RSA, AF/W, AND INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PREL PGOV MARR KDEM KJUS PU PO
SUBJECT: EU MISSION IN GUINEA-BISSAU: MANDATE RENEWAL
EXPECTED

LISBON 00000068 001.3 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: Since 2008, an EU mission in Guinea-Bissau
(GB) has been playing an important role in reform of the
military and the security and justice sectors. Despite
initial challenges due to political instability and
resistance from the GB military, the low-budget advisory
mission has made progress with the passage of key reform
legislation. Its original one-year mandate, extended until
May 31, 2010, is expected to be renewed for another year
pending approval of further legislation by the GB government
and an understanding with the UN to improve coordination.
The Portuguese have invested significant political capital in
the mission, and would welcome greater participation by other
EU member states, the U.S., and the Community of Portuguese
Language Countries (CPLP). End Summary.

COMPOSITION OF MISSION
--------------

2. (SBU) The EU Mission in Support of Security Sector Reform
in Guinea-Bissau (EU SSR Guinea-Bissau),headed by Spanish
General Juan Esteban Verastegui, is currently composed of 13
advisors (eight of them Portuguese) and half a dozen support
staff, including logistics and security officers. According
to Luis Leandro da Silva, Head of European Security and
Defense Policy at the Portuguese MFA, Portugal has invested
significant political capital in the mission and has a
natural interest in promoting it and ensuring its success.
He stressed, however, that Portugal would like more diverse
participation. Noting that there have been few candidates
from other countries, he welcomed greater participation by
other EU member states, the U.S., and third countries,
particularly from CPLP, but recognized that financial
constraints often limit participation.

MANDATE RENEWAL
--------------

3. (SBU) The mission was established in 2008 under a one-year
mandate until April 2009, and extended until May 31, 2010 by
two six-month extensions. According to da Silva, the mission
has a three-fold mandate -- to reform the military and the
security and justice sectors. The EU Political and Security

Commission has reached consensus to renew the mission under a
new one-year mandate (June 1, 2010 - May 31, 2011) with a
greater focus on implementation of security reforms. The
decision, which has yet to be formally adopted by the Foreign
Affairs Council, would be conditioned on (1) approval of
further legislation by the GB government prior to the end of
the current mandate, and (2) an understanding, possibly in
the form of an MOU, between the EU mission and the UN to
improve coordination and division of labor.

PROGRESS TO DATE
--------------

4. (SBU) Da Silva said that while the mission is a low-budget
(6 million euros) advisory operation, it has had a positive
impact in Guinea-Bissau, attaining results despite a
difficult, politically unstable environment, exacerbated by
the March 2009 assassinations of the president and military
chief of staff. Da Silva acknowledged that initially the
mission faced challenges due to political instability, which
made it difficult for the GB government to focus on enacting
reform legislation. He noted that there was also some
initial mistrust on the part of GB authorities and resistance
from the military to the proposed reforms, which would
necessarily involve downsizing and restructuring the
military. Nevertheless, da Silva insisted, the mission made
progress toward bringing civilian rule to the security
sector. The GB government approved reform of the police
force and is working toward creating a structure similar to
the paramilitary Portuguese National Guard and civilian
police.


5. (SBU) According to da Silva, the work of the mission is
fundamental to the political process and stability of
Guinea-Bissau. He warned that without reform of the military
or police force, there would continue to be excessive
interference by the military and security forces in the
political process. He characterized the EU mission as the
"most credible mission" on security reform, but acknowledged
that the UN also plays an important role in Guinea-Bissau.
Da Silva credited the EU mission for highlighting the need

LISBON 00000068 002.3 OF 002


for security reform, eliciting commitment from GB
authorities, mobilizing UN actors, and generating interest in
security reform within the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS). The UN is in the process of consolidating
the operations of its various offices in Guinea-Bissau into a
centralized office, which will be designated the UN
Integrated Office in Guinea-Bissau and staffed by
approximately 100 people.

COMMENT
--------------

6. (SBU) The Portuguese would welcome U.S. participation in
this mission. With the anticipated one-year mandate renewal,
the U.S. could fulfill an important advisory role in support
of ongoing reform efforts in Guinea-Bissau, furthering our
bilateral relationships with both Portugal and its former
colony. A U.S. offer to provide an advisor to the GB justice
sector remains outstanding in Washington, though we
understand it has received favorable consideration. Embassy
Lisbon recommends that Department seek to resolve the delay
in the U.S. decision to participate in the EU mission in
Guinea-Bissau in anticipation of a new one-year mandate
beginning in June. Guinea-Bissau is the textbook example of
a failed state, yet a modest U.S. investment would show that
we care and support a strong ally in its efforts to make a
difference.


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