Cablegate: Portugal Reviews 2007 Contribution to Un Middle

VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #0508 0591716
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281716Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5604
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1467

UNCLAS LISBON 000508

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

IO/UNP - GERMANO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IZ PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL REVIEWS 2007 CONTRIBUTION TO UN MIDDLE
RING SECURITY IN IRAQ

REF: SECSTATE 17022

1. (U) In response to reftel message, MFA International
Organizations Officer Ana Paula Molina told us she had been
unaware that funding was running low for the Middle Ring
Security Initiative. Molina consulted with her colleagues in
Portugal's mission to the UN and said they were undergoing a
review to decide whether Portugal would be able to make a
second contribution to the fund in 2007. Pol-Econ Officer
stressed that the Middle Security Ring was critical to
stabilizing the area and was quickly running out of funds.
Molina acknowledged the importance of the mission but
cautioned us that Portugal's austere budget would make
additional spending difficult this year.

2. (SBU) Comment: Portugal has been quite supportive on Iraq
but is also facing pressure to make significant cuts to
government spending. It is unlikely that Portugal will be
able to fund this initiative in 2007. End comment.
Hoffman

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