Cablegate: Portugal Defers to Eu On Stronger Burma Sanctions

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DE RUEHLI #1975 2211709
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FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6979
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS LISBON 001975

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS:LSCHEIBE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ETRD BM PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL DEFERS TO EU ON STRONGER BURMA SANCTIONS

REF: SECSTATE 83719

1. (U) Portugal continues to support the EU consensus
regarding sanctions against Burma, according to Joao Terenas
of the MFA's Asia Office. Terenas thanked us for the
briefing on stronger U.S. sanctions but declined to comment
on the prospects for stronger EU sanctions pending further
discussion in Brussels.

2. (SBU) Comment: Portugal tends to view Burma as outside its
sphere of influence and looks to Asian powers to encourage
change. Portugal generally does not support tightening
sanctions, and opposed stronger measures against Burma
earlier this year, but if EU consensus calls for stronger
measures, Portugal is likely to go along. End comment.
Stephenson

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