INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Portugal Considering Global Maritime Partnerships

Published: Mon 2 Jun 2008 04:55 PM
VZCZCXRO9064
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHLI #1289 1541655
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021655Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6856
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHPD/AMCONSUL PONTA DELGADA 0478
UNCLAS LISBON 001289
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT EAID ECIN ECON EFIS MARR MASS MCAP MOPS
PHSA, PINS, PREL, SMIG, SENV, SNAR, ASEC
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL CONSIDERING GLOBAL MARITIME PARTNERSHIPS
REF: SECSTATE 50488
1. Poleconoff and Naval Attache delivered reftel points
regarding Global Maritime Partnerships (GMP) to the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, which are
considering possible key areas for participation. GOP
interlocutors currently have no suggestions for GMP
activities.
2. COMMENT: Portugal is already a "global maritime partner"
in many respects, regularly participating in PHOENIX EXPRESS
exercises and information sharing via the Automatic
Identification System (AIS) with the USN Sixth Fleet.
Portugal is also host to the Maritime Analysis and Operations
Center - Narcotics (MAOC-N), which coordinates the activities
of seven European countries (with US liaison) for
interdiction of narcotrafficking throughout the eastern
Atlantic. However, Post experience with GOP maritime
authorities is that they are generally welcoming of USG
maritime initiatives but are not quick to agree to or comment
on prospective changes in how our countries work together.
It is likely that substantive GOP response will be
forthcoming only in reply to detailed proposals.
Stephenson
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media