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courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08LISBON2756, PORTUGAL SUPPORTS EU CONSENSUS ON ALL DECEMBER 8-9

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08LISBON2756 2008-12-05 17:02 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Lisbon
VZCZCXRO9782
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLI #2756 3401702
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051702Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7204
INFO RUCNMUC/EU CANDIDATE STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0113
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0029
UNCLAS LISBON 002756 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS EU CONSENSUS ON ALL DECEMBER 8-9 
GAERC ISSUES 
 
REF: STATE 127023 
 
1. (SBU) Portugal's MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Florbela 
Cardy said the EU shares US concerns about Pakistan, the 
Western Balkans, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the 
Middle East as outlined in reftel demarche.  She further 
noted that Portugal fully agreed with the draft conclusions 
to be presented at the next EU Foreign Ministers' meeting 
(GAERC) on December 8 and 9.  As she provided an overview of 
the EU's policy conclusions, she stressed the following 
points of interest to Portugal: 
 
2. (U) Western Balkans: Portugal is pleased the EU and UN 
were able to resolve mission configuration difficulties 
because EULEX is crucial to Europe's stability and needs to 
start quickly.  The GOP will send two members of the national 
uniformed police force to participate in EULEX and another 
three in a few months. 
 
3. (U) Middle East: Portugal views the EU's conclusions as a 
balanced declaration that reinforces the Annapolis process 
and peace efforts from various nations.  Cardy stressed that 
President-elect Obama's assurance that the process would 
continue in the next US administration had been welcome news. 
 
4. (U) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The US and EU view 
the DRC crisis in exactly the same light and should continue 
to work together to stabilize the situation, Cardy said.  She 
praised the UN mission MONUC as an important step in the 
right direction and reported that the EU had also sent an 
important humanitarian assistance package totaling 45.6 
million euros to the DRC in cooperation with the UN. 
 
5. (SBU) Pakistan: Portugal supports EU calls for Pakistan to 
consolidate its democracy and improve relations with its 
neighbors India and Afghanistan.  Cardy noted that Pakistan 
has requested a troika meeting with the EU and would probably 
have its first meeting in the near future to discuss trade 
and political cooperation. 
 
6. (SBU) Common Security and Foreign Policies: The French 
Presidency hopes to get approval for an updated common 
defense and international engagement strategy to build on the 
 EU's 2003 plan.  Cardy said the 2008 update would include 
new considerations and threats that have emerged since the 
2003 plan including piracy, health pandemics, energy 
shortages, environmental challenges, and cyber security 
cooperation.  Portugal notes that the draft text proposed by 
France maintains a good balance and distinction between the 
EU and NATO's roles on security issues, she added. 
BALLARD