VZCZCXYZ0017
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLI #2418 2611250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181250Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6263
INFO RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0116
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS LISBON 002418
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
Department for EAP/K, EUR/WE, and ISN/C
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: OPDC PREL MNUC KS KN EUN PO
SUBJECT: Portugal Solicits Information on Behalf of EU on
Contributing to Verification Missions
THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST.
1. (U) In its role as President of the EU Council, Portugal
transmitted a diplomatic note, dated September 13, requesting
additional information about the nuclear issue in North Korea and
how the EU could contribute technical assistance. ACTION REQUEST:
Post requests the Department's guidance on how to respond to the
Portuguese request.
2. (SBU) Begin informal translation of Portuguese dipnote:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its highest compliments to
the Embassy of the United States of America and hereby requests
information regarding the nuclear issue in North Korea.
Following the announcement of the suspension of nuclear activities
at the Yongbyon Complex last June, the European Union, an
international organization over which Portugal currently presides,
has come to debate internally the possibility of contributing to the
International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) nuclear verification
activities currently underway in the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea.
Given the prominent role the United States plays in stabilizing the
Korean peninsula - and due to its participation in the Six-Party
Talks - it is important for the European Union to be familiar with
the position of the United States regarding this topic.
In this manner, it would be highly appreciated if the Embassy of the
United States could make available, as soon as possible, relevant
information about the possibility of contributing either
technically or financially to the above-mentioned verification
activities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes this opportunity of
reiterating to the U.S. Embassy the assurances of its highest
consideration.
Lisbon, Portugal
September 13, 2007
End informal translation.
Ballard