VZCZCXYZ0049
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #2544 3131650
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 091650Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5333
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1459

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002544 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL DOES NOT AGREE ON CUBA EMBARGO AND ONE 
RETALIATORY RESOLUTION IN UN THIRD COMMITTEE 
 
REF: A. STATE 182099 
     ¶B. STATE 182267 
     ¶C. STATE 183547 
     ¶D. STATE 184156 
 
Classified By: POL CHIEF TROY FITRELL, REASONS 1.4 (B,D) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Portugal agrees with many of the U.S. issues 
regarding pending Third Committee resolutions, except for the 
Cuba Embargo Resolution and the retaliatory Protecting Human 
Rights and Freedoms while Countering Terrorism Resolution. 
Interlocutors noted that Portugal will consider any EU 
consensus, but intends to argue in favor of the Embargo 
resolution, against the Australian amendment, and in favor of 
the Protecting Human Rights resolution.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) At the working level, we approached Portuguese 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices on each of the Reftel 
issues related to pending resolutions in the United Nations 
Third Committee, meeting with representatives from the Latin 
America, United Nations, and Human Rights offices. 
 
Cuba 
---- 
¶3. (C) Regarding Reftels A and D, Manuela Caldas Faria and 
Leandro Amado, both of the Latin America office, and Ana 
Brito of the United Nations office noted that they had just 
received the text of the Australian amendment to the Cuba 
Embargo Resolution.  Each noted that they would consider 
European Union consensus, but that Portugal would vote 
against the amendment and for the resolution.  They said they 
oppose the embargo on Cuba on the grounds of 
extraterritoriality and believed that the Australian 
amendment introduced a subject, human rights, which they 
believed should remain separate.  Nonetheless, Brito noted 
that they intended to use the Explanation of Vote to make a 
forceful statement on the human rights situation in Cuba. 
 
Country Specific Human Rights Resolutions 
----------------------------------------- 
¶4. (C) Regarding Reftels B and C, Brito noted that Portugal 
agreed to cosponsor each of the five country specific 
resolutions supported by the U.S., and would lobby other 
nations to support them as well.  Brito also noted that 
Portugal would oppose most of the retaliatory resolutions 
listed in Ref C, with the exception of the Protecting Human 
Rights and Freedoms while Countering Terrorism Resolution. 
Portugal intended to support this resolution, Brito said, as 
part of a general concern for detainee rights, including 
extraordinary renditions of suspected terrorists.  Brito 
noted that Portugal is unhappy with the failure of the Human 
Rights Council to address all of the Ref B and C issues 
effectively. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶5. (C) Portugal,s stands regarding the Cuba resolution, the 
Australian amendment, and the retaliatory resolution are 
unfortunate, but are in line with Portugal,s voting record 
in past Third Committee sessions.  Interlocutors did note 
that they would consider joining an EU consensus, should 
their EU allies decide to vote in a more favorable manner. 
Brito,s mention of detainee rights reflects on-going 
pressure on the Portuguese government by the EU Parliament 
and crusading journalists in regard to alleged rendition 
flights landing on Portuguese territory. 
Hoffman