Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09PONTADELGADA5, US MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE AZORES, PORTUGAL

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09PONTADELGADA5.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09PONTADELGADA5 2009-01-30 11:22 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Consulate Ponta Delgada
VZCZCXRO9048
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPD #0005/01 0301122
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 301122Z JAN 09
FM AMCONSUL PONTA DELGADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0142
INFO RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0153
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPD/AMCONSUL PONTA DELGADA 0162
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 PONTA DELGADA 000005 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON SOCI CASC PO
SUBJECT: US MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE AZORES, PORTUGAL 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  001.2 OF 007 
 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. For over 60 years the United States and 
Portugal have maintained a high level of military cooperation in 
the Azores.  This close cooperation is reflected in the daily 
leadership and performance of the 65th Air Base Wing at Lajes 
Field.  We continue to look for new opportunities to ensure that 
this facility remains in optimal condition and that it serves 
the interests of the United States.  This cable provides a 
comprehensive summary of the U.S. military presence in the 
Azores, Portugal.  It gives general information on the U.S. 
military as well as current issues and projects. The leadership 
of the U.S. military at Lajes, the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon and 
the U.S. Consulate work hand in hand to ensure that this is a 
Mission team.  Those who want more detailed information about 
any of the items mentioned in the cable can contact the 
Principal Officer in the Azores, Jean Manes at ManesJE@state.gov 
or the U.S. Base Commander at Lajes, Colonel Margaret Poore at 
Peggy.Poore.1@lajes.af.mil. 
 
HISTORY 
 
2. (U) The Azores is comprised of nine islands in the middle of 
the Atlantic, 950 miles from Lisbon, Portugal and 1,200 miles 
from the U.S. coastline.   The U.S. has maintained a military 
presence for over 60 years in the Azores. The U.S. Consulate, 
established in 1795, is the oldest continuously operating U.S. 
Consulate in the world.  The official title of the U.S. military 
presence is the 65th Air Base Wing at Lajes Field, Azores, 
Portugal.  The U.S. military is considered a "temporary" 
resident at the Portuguese Air Base 4 on the island of Terceira. 
 This is not a U.S. base and as a result the rules that govern 
this entire relationship differ slightly from other U.S. 
military facilities. 
 
3. (U) Throughout its history, the Lajes Air Base has played a 
critical role in a number of operations -- most notably 
providing the United States with the strategic position to 
counter German U-Boats in World War II, which had a major 
positive impact on the Allied war effort.  In recent years, the 
U.S. presence played a direct role in the Berlin Airlift and was 
the site of the meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush, 
British Prime Minister Blair, Spanish Prime Minister Aznar and 
Portuguese Prime Minister Barroso at the outset of the Iraq War. 
 
GENERAL FEATURES OF LAJES 
 
4. (SBU) Lajes Field is the largest runway in Europe at 10,800 
feet long and 300 feet wide.  It can support any commercial or 
military aircraft in the U.S. or NATO fleet and is commonly 
known as the airstrip in the middle of the Atlantic.  Lajes also 
serves as the second largest fuel storage facility for the 
United States Air Force, after Guam. 
 
5. (SBU) The primary mission of Lajes is to support moving 
personnel, aircraft and supplies "to and from the fight."  There 
were 14,900 aircraft that landed at Lajes in FY08.  This 
includes both military and commercial flights from all nations. 
The U.S. and Portuguese run a joint 24-hour tower, which is 
important to the base's mission as an emergency landing site. 
The base also serves as an alternate landing site for the Space 
Shuttle and participates in regular training to support this 
mission.  In addition, Lajes provides communications support to 
the National Command Authority, as well as senior USG civilian 
and military officials while transiting the Atlantic Ocean. 
Lajes provides this communications coverage, both backup and 
primary, extending from the Central US to Eastern Europe. 
 
CURRENT STAFFING 
 
6. (SBU) Despite reductions over the years, the United States 
military remains one of the largest employers in the Azores and 
it is the single largest employer on the island of Terceira. 
U.S. military and civilian:  789 
U.S. family members: 1,032 
Portuguese Local National Personnel: 780 
 
7. (SBU) These numbers have steadily decreased from a recent 
high in 1990 of 1,900 U.S. personnel and 1,345 Portuguese 
personnel and a low in 1998 of 610 Portuguese.  The local 
population on the island of Terceira is 68,000 and 250,000 for 
all nine islands, thus staffing changes at the airbase are an 
important issue to the local population and government and any 
proposed reduction is a source of friction in the U.S. -- 
Portugal relationship.  U.S. forces at the base make every 
effort to minimize the impact by offering other jobs on base or 
buyouts when feasible.  However, it is clear that the reduced 
numbers are permanent absent new missions for this facility. 
 
LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  002.2 OF 007 
 
 
 
8. (U) While the overall personnel numbers have decreased over 
the years, the U.S. leadership at Lajes recognizes the important 
economic impact that the U.S. presence has on the local economy. 
 As a result, they continue to maximize the use of local 
contractors and materials for daily operations as well as 
special construction projects. 
 
9. (SBU) The FY 2008 total economic impact of the U.S. presence 
at Lajes was 93 million dollars, including 31.9 million dollars 
in local Portuguese civilian salaries.  The average Portuguese 
worker makes 42,000 dollars annually compared to the average 
local salary of 7,200 dollars.   The base has no retention 
problems and work at the base is highly desirable. 
 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SCHOOL AT LAJES 
 
10. (SBU) There is a Department of Defense K-12 School at Lajes 
and it is well known for its academic excellence.  Though the 
population is small, it is a critical part of maintaining the 
status of Lajes as a family eligible post.  The decrease in U.S. 
personnel over the years has had a direct impact on school 
enrollment.  For example, in 1999, school enrollment was 620. 
Current enrollment is 366.  This represents a 41% decline in the 
last decade.  There is concern that any further U.S. personnel 
reductions could reduce the numbers to below the minimum 
required to have a school.  If that occurred and the school 
closed, Lajes would lose its family eligible status.  This would 
have a severe impact on the local Portuguese employment at the 
base. 
 
CONSULAR SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE BASE 
 
11. (U) Consular services to the U.S. personnel at Lajes remain 
a top priority for the U.S. Consulate.  The U.S. Consulate in 
the Azores is located on the island of Sao Miguel.  Terceira is 
about a 30 minute small plane ride from Sao Miguel.  The 
Consulate has daily contact with the base, and an officer from 
the Consulate travels there at least once a month for both 
military and consular issues.  Working in conjunction with a 
military passport agent at Lajes, the Consulate provides the 
full range of consular services for base personnel, including 
all the processing of passports, reports of birth, and immigrant 
visas.  In fact, about 50% of the Consulate's passport work is 
related to the base.  The Consulate also guides service members 
through the complicated process for marrying a foreigner and the 
subsequent naturalization.  Aside from the 1,800 U.S. citizens 
at Lajes Air Base, there are an additional 3,800 registered U.S. 
citizens in the Azores.  The vast majority of American citizens 
outside of the military population are dual nationals 
(Portuguese and U.S.). 
 
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR OF PRAIA 
 
12. (SBU) Lajes field is located in the town of Praia.  The U.S. 
consulate maintains regular contact with the local mayor, 
Roberto Monteiro.  We have a high level of cooperation, but 
there are always issues that arise with a large U.S. presence 
and it is critical to have this open line of communication with 
the local leaders.  In addition, the U.S. Consulate also leads 
efforts to encourage involvement of military personnel in the 
local community.  For example, this year the U.S. military 
co-sponsored with the Mayor of Praia and the Consulate the first 
joint U.S/Portuguese 5K walk for the cure of breast cancer. 
This event brought the military and local community together and 
received very positive publicity. 
 
13. (SBU) A number of Portuguese in Terceira have commented that 
they do not have the same connection with the Americans on the 
base as in the past.  Our assessment is that this is due to the 
overall decrease in the U.S. presence over the years, but also 
it is a signal that we need to increase our public outreach to 
ensure a positive relationship and prevent misunderstandings. 
This effort is complicated by the constant false media reporting 
of one local paper on the island that regularly paints the U.S. 
presence in a negative light.  This will be discussed in more 
detail below. 
 
1995 COOPERATION AND DEFENSE AGREEMENT (ACD) 
 
14. (SBU) The 1995 ACD is the most recent agreement signed 
between the United States and Portugal that governs the presence 
of U.S. personnel, as well as the labor and technical procedures 
for daily operations.  The agreement receives a lot of public 
attention in the Azores, particularly related to a couple of 
areas:  first, prior to the 1995 agreement, the United States 
paid 40 million dollars annually to the Portuguese in rent for 
our use of the air base.  This requirement was removed in the 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  003.2 OF 007 
 
 
1995 agreement in exchange for broader cooperation in science, 
technology, agriculture, and other areas.  Second, the two sides 
view the ACD differently.  The Portuguese consider the agreement 
a treaty and it has been ratified by their Parliament.  The 
United States considers it an Executive Agreement (as are 60+ 
other similar agreements the U.S. has in place for a military 
presence in other countries) rather than a formal 
Senate-approved treaty.  Under the U.S. legal system, the U.S. 
Secretary of State has the authority to sign Executive 
Agreements and this particular one was signed by then Secretary 
of State Warren Christopher.  The Portuguese insist that the 
United States has not "ratified" the agreement and thus is not 
held to 100% adherence to the agreement.  The U.S. does adhere 
to the agreement in all matters.  We have consulted various 
times with the State Department Legal Advisor (L/T) on this 
issue and it is clear that under U.S. law this agreement is 
appropriately defined as an "Executive Agreement" and the United 
States must and does fully comply.  In fact, L/T has advised 
that under International Law there is no differentiation between 
an Executive Agreement and a Treaty, thus the 1995 Cooperation 
and Defense Agreement is considered a treaty.  It is unclear why 
this continues to be an issue.  The United States has explained 
the U.S. legal system to the Portuguese numerous times at all 
levels, but the issue persists when the Portuguese allege that 
the United States is not in compliance with the agreement, 
particularly as it relates to labor issues. 
 
THE U.S./PORTUGAL BILATERAL COMMISSION 
 
15. (SBU) The 1995 Cooperation and Defense Agreement establishes 
biannual meetings called the "Bilateral Commission" to rotate 
between Lisbon and Washington to discuss the range of issues 
related to Lajes base and broader bilateral cooperation.  The 
meetings are roughly at the Political Director/Assistant 
Secretary level.  Much effort has been made in recent years to 
expand the focus of these meetings from the detailed military 
and cooperation issues to include Portugal's role in Africa, the 
Western Hemisphere and other areas of mutual interest. 
Previously, the meetings were very scripted and served at best 
as a reporting of what had been done the previous year.  We have 
been somewhat successful in broadening the scope of these 
meetings to include the negotiation of current issues. 
 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE AZORES 
 
16. (SBU) In 2006, the Bilateral Commission set up a 
subcommittee to focus specifically on programs to benefit the 
Azores.  This reflects a constant debate between the Portuguese 
government and the Regional Government of the Azores (RGA). 
(Note: the Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, with 
considerable policy latitude in many areas.)  The RGA contends 
that the sole reason for the ACD is the U.S. military presence 
in the Azores and that the Azores should be the primary 
beneficiary of this relationship.  Lisbon contends that the RGA 
already benefits substantially due to the direct employment of 
local employees and the economic impact, estimated at 93.0 
million dollars for fiscal year 2008.    This committee is also 
scheduled to meet twice a year alternating between Lisbon and 
the Azores to review potential joint projects in science, 
agriculture, education, tourism and technology.  These specific 
programs are funded under the Azores Cooperation Incentives 
Program (ACIP) by the United States Department of Defense, 
through the United States European Command and the Office of 
Defense Cooperation at U.S. Embassy Lisbon. The program 
currently manages about $200,000 in non-defense related 
development programs. 
 
CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST IN THE AZORES 
 
17. (SBU) In large part because of the many Azorean immigrants 
who have settled in the U.S. over the years, there is 
significant U.S. Congressional interest in the Azores.  There 
are three members of the U.S. Congress who come from Azorean 
heritage:  Jim Costa (D-CA); Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Devin 
Nunes (R-CA), all from neighboring districts in the San Joaquin 
Valley.  Several other members represent districts with a large 
proportion of Portuguese immigrants (mostly from the Azores), 
particularly in New England and New Jersey.  The most active is 
Rep. Barney Frank who is probably one of the most knowledgeable 
persons regarding the history of the U.S. military presence in 
the Azores.  In fact, he is directly responsible for securing 
funds for a number of projects including a major housing project 
following an earthquake in Terceira in 1980.  This military 
housing on the base is affectionately known as "Barney's Housing 
Complex."  In addition to the Congressional level, there are 
many state and local representatives in California, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey who have Portuguese 
heritage.  There is a direct and constant exchange of 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  004.2 OF 007 
 
 
information.  These individuals have both official and family 
sources and any prospective change in the U.S. presence in the 
Azores is closely monitored. 
 
RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS 
 
18. (SBU) In FY2008, two important projects were completed that 
enhance the mission at Lajes.  The first was the installation of 
a new fire and rescue station at the edge of the runway.  This 
facility estimated at 10.3 million dollars allows for a quick 
and comprehensive response to any emergency on the ground.  The 
second major improvement was the installation of a new hydrant 
refueling system.  This project estimated at 16 million dollars 
has doubled the refueling capabilities from 2400 GPM to 4800 GPM 
and is critical to getting assets to and from the fight. 
 
CURRENT PROJECTS 
 
19. (U) There are a number of current projects that are of 
interest to the United States and that receive media attention. 
Below is a summary of each project and the current status. 
 
20. (SBU) HOUSING COMPLETION:  From 2001-2008, a new housing 
complex was constructed for U.S. families living on base.  The 
"Nascer do Sol" complex consists of 156 units and serves as a 
significant factor in the high morale at the base.  The 
estimated cost was 37.4 million dollars.  Additional housing is 
also undergoing a renovation to meet required military standards 
by 2009.  246 existing townhouses and rooms are included at a 
cost of 43.8 million dollars. 
 
21.  (SBU) RUNWAY: The runway at Lajes remains the single most 
important asset and it is critical to maintain this in optimal 
condition.  The airport is a joint-use facility for both the 
United States and Portuguese military as well as commercial 
aircraft.    In 2008, nearly 15,000 flights landed on this 
runway.  The runway has not been resurfaced since 1978.  A 2003 
Airfield Pavement Evaluation noted multiple slippage cracks and 
additional reports have recommended the resurfacing.  The normal 
lifespan of a runway is 20 years, which means the runway should 
have been repaved in 1998.  From 2004-2006, the U.S. Air Force 
made a number of emergency repairs to ensure continued operation. 
 
22. (SBU) The total estimated cost of the runway repair is 5.7 
million dollars.  Since this is a joint U.S./Portuguese 
facility, the 1995 agreement mandates cost sharing.   In 
addition, the Portuguese receive landing fees that are designed 
to fund runway repair and other airport maintenance.  At the 
November 2008 Bilateral Commission meeting in Washington, this 
issue was discussed and in December USAFE presented the 
Portuguese with a formal proposal for cost sharing of the runway 
repair.  The cost sharing is based on the number of total 
flights, but utilizing formulas based on the impact of different 
types of aircraft.  The U.S. is well aware that a fuel tanker 
does not have the same impact as a propeller 25-seat plane.  The 
actual usage of the runway is as follows:  Portuguese: 68%; 
U.S.: 22%; and Third Nation: 10%.  Utilizing the impact 
formulas, USAFE had determined that fair cost sharing is: 
Portuguese: 17%; U.S.: 72% and Third Nation: 11%.  Since 
Portugal collects landing fees from third nation aircraft, the 
proposal assumes Portugal will pay 28% of the cost, including 
the third nation share.  We are still awaiting a Portuguese 
response to this proposal.  USAFE has this-year money available, 
so if we reach an agreement with the Portuguese, the project 
would begin immediately. 
 
23. (U) BREAKWATER REPAIR: The U.S. is responsible for operating 
and maintaining the dock and breakwater facility at the local 
port of Praia near the airbase as part of the 1995 ACD 
agreement.   This is the sole fuel off-loading system for Lajes 
Field.  In 2001, a storm damaged the breakwater and the critical 
fuel manifold for off-loading fuel from ships.  In 2002, the 
U.S. funded emergency repairs, and in 2003 the U.S. funded a 
complete repair 50 million dollars.  The re-construction of this 
facility will be finished in the next few months. 
 
24. (SBU) HANGAR DEMOLITION: The sole hangar at Lajes was built 
in 1956 at the edge of the flight line and was condemned in 1997 
for safety reasons, including massive asbestos.  The harsh 
saltwater climate corroded the facility's metal structure and 
high winds have caused wall and roof panels to fly off.  This, 
along with an infestation of pigeons causes a serious foreign 
object hazard on the flight line.  The Portuguese military has 
complained for many years about this eye-sore, and repeatedly 
requested that USAFE fund a project to demolish the hangar.  At 
the end of FY 2008, USAFE finally secured funding for demolition 
of the hangar.  The previous Portuguese base commander had 
verbally agreed to the project and timeline. Based on this 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  005.2 OF 007 
 
 
agreement, the U.S. awarded the contract and was ready to begin 
demolition.  However, due to a change in the Portuguese 
commander, the new commander (Major General Mora de Oliveira) 
insisted the project be sent to the technical committee under 
the bilateral commission for formal, written approval.  This, 
apparently, was due to his involvement at a previous Portuguese 
facility, which had environmental hazards, and it was not 
demolished appropriately resulting in a multi-year lawsuit.  At 
the November 2008 Bilateral Commission meeting the U.S. provided 
the project proposal to the technical committee and requested 
urgent approval.  The technical committee is scheduled to meet 
in February to review the proposal.  Approval must be obtained 
by February 2009 to ensure that the money is not lost. 
 
25. (SBU) While the money has been allocated for the demolition 
of the hangar, there is still a need for a new hangar which is 
unfunded.  At present, there is no hangar at Lajes that is 
suitable for repair of U.S. aircraft.  Consequently repairs must 
be done outdoors.  The weather in the Azores is characterized by 
high winds and frequent rains which are not conducive to outdoor 
repairs.  The U.S. leadership at Lajes will continue to request 
funding for this project and the scope of the project will 
depend on possible new missions, including the air training 
initiative. 
 
26. (SBU) CINDER PITS FUEL FARM DEMOLITION: Until 1994, fuel was 
stored at a tank farm facility in the hills a few miles outside 
the airbase property and then piped onto the base for aircraft 
refueling.  These facilities formerly held 33.2 million gallons 
of fuel in five above-ground and six below-ground storage tanks. 
 The area was abandoned in 1994.  This area represents a 
significant hazard as local children frequently venture into the 
area to play.  There are over 8.9 miles of abandoned fuel piping 
associated with this fuel farm that lie under private property. 
 Money has been allocated to remove the above ground tanks. 
Funding is still needed for the complete removal of the 
underground infrastructure.   This issue continues to receive 
broad negative media and public attention alleging contamination. 
 
CURRENT ISSUES 
 
27. (U) In addition to the current projects underway, there are 
a number of current issues.  Below is a brief summary and status 
of each. 
 
28. (SBU) AIR TRAINING INITIATIVE:  This is a U.S. initiative 
that would establish Lajes Field as a central air training 
facility for the U.S. and NATO and provide 80,000 miles of 
combat airspace training just north of Lajes Field.  This 
airspace equates to an approximate 92% increase in tactical 
maneuvering capability controlled by Lajes Field.  Open ocean 
away from shipping or air traffic lanes makes for an optimal 
training environment for the next generation of fighter 
aircraft. 
 
29. (SBU) The strategic location of Lajes combined with the 
second largest fuel storage capacity in the Air Force uniquely 
positions Lajes as a combat training and staging location for 
U.S. and Allied aircraft along the trans-Atlantic corridor.  It 
is hoped this will encourage use by other allies or direct NATO 
training missions.  Also, the location is no less convenient for 
U.S. forces on the east coast than the USAF current training 
facility in Nevada.  This initiative was first developed by a 
previous U.S. commander at Lajes who was concerned about the 
diminishing U.S. presence and was searching for new missions to 
maintain the vitality of the base.  During the pinnacle of 
Lajes' usage, all transport aircraft needed to refuel on 
transatlantic flights.  Today's C-5's and C-17's do not, 
although C-130's and fighter aircraft still need the facility. 
 
30. (SBU) In December 2006, the U.S. first began to discuss this 
issue with the Portuguese.  In 2007, a number of senior level 
meetings were held between the U.S. and Portugal.  The U.S. 
continued to press this issue with no apparent interest from the 
Portuguese Government.  However, in July 2008, the President of 
the Regional Government of the Azores (RGA) publicly endorsed 
the idea following a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador and urged 
Lisbon to move on this issue.  The RGA clearly understands the 
ongoing reduction of Portuguese jobs at Lajes and the need to 
find new missions in order to keep Lajes relevant and thereby to 
maintain current employment.   In September 2008, technical 
teams from the U.S. Air Force and the Portuguese Air Force met 
in Lisbon to discuss the specifics.  At the November 2008 
Bilateral Commission meeting the issue was once again raised. 
The Air Space Initiative is currently under review by the 
Portuguese government.  Should the Portuguese approve this 
initiative, Lajes Field has the current infrastructure to 
support immediate implementation. 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  006.2 OF 007 
 
 
 
31. (SBU) U.S. AFRICA COMMAND: Portuguese media continues to 
speculate on alleged proposals for basing U.S. Africa Command 
installations or capabilities at Lajes Field.  The U.S. Embassy 
and Consulate remain consistent in our response that the U.S. 
Africa Command is currently based in Germany and no decisions 
are pending regarding changing this location.  We continue to 
engage the Portuguese Military and Government on finding new 
missions for Lajes Field, and to focus in the near term on 
implementing the Air Training initiative. 
 
32. (SBU) LABOR RELATIONS: Overall, labor relations between the 
U.S. and local Portuguese workers are positive; however the wage 
survey and the subsequent Portuguese salary increases continue 
to be a point of contention.  The Portuguese contend that the 
U.S. is not in compliance with the 1995 agreement because when 
the recommended wage survey increase exceeds the U.S. government 
increase, the Department of Defense does not have the 
legislative authority to grant this higher amount.  The article 
in the agreement clearly states that all salary increases must 
conform to U.S. manuals, which limits the amount to the actual 
U.S. increase.  This has become such a volatile issue over the 
years for a number of reasons that include the sheer complexity 
of the wage survey process which makes it almost impossible to 
understand.  While the U.S. leadership -- both diplomatic and 
military -- rotates every few years, our Portuguese counterparts 
who deal with this issue have been around for decades. 
 
33. (SBU) In 2008 this issue came to a head and the senior DoD 
official on the Bilateral Commission -- the Deputy Under 
Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy agreed to 
undertake a full review.  After hundreds of hours of research 
and legal review, the Department of Defense ruled that the U.S. 
is in full compliance with the agreement and that the 
interpretation that the Department of Defense is not authorized 
to pay a higher amount is correct.  Deputy Under Secretary 
Bradshaw gave a thorough briefing on this issue at the May 2008 
Bilateral Commission meeting at which time the U.S. and the 
Portuguese agreed to disagree.  To date, the Portuguese have 
never provided a legal article to counter the U.S. ruling.  At 
this meeting, the representative for the Regional Government of 
the Azores, Dr. Andre Bradford offered a potential solution to 
remove the annual requirement of the wage survey in exchange for 
back payment for years 2006/2007.  The DoD could not agree 
immediately to this proposal because it required additional 
authorization language and appropriation of funds.  In 2008, 
Congressman Barney Frank authored legislation to implement this 
solution.  The U.S. Congress passed the legislation in the U.S. 
Congress authorizing the funds for the back payment, but it did 
not include the implementing language.  This will need to be 
done in March 2009.  However, at the November bilat, the 
Portuguese National government decided they did not support the 
proposal by the RGA.  Now, the issue is on hold pending 
re-consideration by the Portuguese Government.  The U.S. has 
advised that we have made every attempt to resolve this issue 
and there will be no further offers. 
 
34. (SBU) SOIL AND WATER CONTAMINATION: Over the years there 
have been various allegations by the local media of 
contamination of the soil and water in Terceira due to the U.S. 
presence.  This is the second largest fuel facility for the U.S. 
Air Force and there have been a couple of incidents involving 
spills and leaks over the years.  However, since 1995 the U.S. 
has been aggressively dealing with the issue and has implemented 
strict environmental standards.  The U.S. regularly tests the 
water and the soil for potential problems.  The local water 
company and the Portuguese Air Force also conduct regularly 
testing and their findings concur with the U.S. that there is no 
contamination of the public drinking water. 
 
35. (SBU) In May 2008, this issue exploded when the Portuguese 
National television station in the Azores (RTP) led their Friday 
evening broadcast stating, "The U.S. has contaminated the public 
drinking water in Terceira."  The report set off a firestorm of 
criticism.  The report was based on false information and 
one-sided, but it forced the Portuguese Minister of Environment, 
the President of the Regional Government of the Azores, the 
Portuguese Air Force and the U.S. Consulate to announce the 
drinking water is safe in order to stop the public panic.  Even 
though the report was based on information that all authorities 
now recognize as false, the RGA was under significant pressure 
to authorize an independent study. In January 2009, the contract 
should be signed with the National Laboratory in Portugal (LNEC) 
to conduct a full review of the soil and water in Terceira. 
These findings should be done in twelve months.  The U.S. has 
agreed to cooperate and provide all documentation that we have 
as well as allow military engineers at Lajes to meet with LNEC 
officials.  The U.S. will need to monitor this and be prepared 
 
PONTA DELG 00000005  007.2 OF 007 
 
 
to respond should there be any findings that indicate U.S. 
responsibility. 
 
36. (SBU) MEDIA ARTICLES IN THE LOCAL PORTUGUESE STATION 
RTP/RDP:  One of the most disappointing developments this past 
year has been the decline of journalistic standards by the 
Portuguese National television and radio station (RTP/RDP) 
located in the Azores.  RTP/RDP is the single most important 
media outlet in the Azores and an overwhelming percentage of the 
population receives their news from this source.  Prior to 
February 2007, RTP (television) and RDP (radio) were two 
separate entities.  Around April 2008, RTP/RDP began using radio 
and television reports from an individual who works at the 
Diario Insular, a local newspaper on the island of Terceira. 
This individual has dedicated his life the last 10 years to 
inventing negative stories about the U.S. presence.  As a 
result, negative false comments that previously were limited to 
a low circulation newspaper on one island suddenly were used 
throughout the Azores for radio and TV. 
 
37. (SBU) The U.S. Consulate repeatedly attempted to address 
this issue with the Director of RTP/RDP Azores.  This issue came 
to a head when they falsely reported the water contamination 
which led to public panic.  The Director of RTP/RDP has refused 
to implement any oversight or fact-checking of the journalists 
involved.  There is much speculation regarding the various 
financial and political motives behind this.  The situation has 
significantly damaged the reputation of the United States in the 
Azores and is of growing concern. 
 
38. (SBU) In October 2008, the Deputy Chief of Mission at 
Embassy Lisbon, the Consul to the Azores, and the PAO at Embassy 
Lisbon met with the Chief of Information for RTP/RDP based in 
Lisbon.  We presented a thorough review of the situation and the 
RTP official appeared shocked by the situation.  He agreed to 
check into this.  Following this meeting, there were a few weeks 
of objective reporting and then it gradually returned to the 
daily attacks against the United States.  In one December 
example, RTP led their nightly broadcast with a report that 
accused the U.S. of trying to swindle the Portuguese into paying 
for the repair of the runway.  Once again, the facts were wrong 
-- the most glaring errors were they said the project cost was 
20 million and it is actually 5.7 million and they stated the 
U.S. wanted the Portuguese to pay almost the whole amount, which 
is exactly the opposite.  As in previous cases, neither the U.S. 
nor Portuguese officials were contacted to comment for the 
report.  The Consulate has requested the Embassy to arrange a 
follow-up meeting with RTP/RDP in Lisbon to discuss the next 
steps. 
 
39. (SBU) FOREIGN SERVICE EXAM: In an effort to increase the 
State Department/ Department of Defense cooperation, the U.S. 
Consulate requested that Lajes be included as an authorized 
testing site for the Foreign Service Exam.  The base already has 
an established testing center where hundreds of exams for 
different universities and on-line programs are authorized.  In 
contrast, the Consulate's facility does not currently meet the 
technical or space requirements to administer the exam.  There 
has been significant interest by military personnel at Lajes to 
join the Foreign Service after their military career and they 
have many skills and abilities which would serve the Foreign 
Service well.  The U.S. Consulate began the process to certify 
Lajes prior to the February 2009 exam, but unfortunately our 
request was denied.  We are currently seeking a reconsideration 
of this decision and will be following up in appropriate 
channels. 
REBERT