Cablegate: Portugal Supports Draft Exception Text for India

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DE RUEHLI #2029 2261724
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131724Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6986
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0136
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0024

UNCLAS LISBON 002029

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN AND SCA, DOE FOR SCHEINMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC AORC PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS DRAFT EXCEPTION TEXT FOR INDIA

REF: SECSTATE 85948

1. Charge and his British counterpart John Kraus jointly
delivered reftel points to MFA Director for Disarmament and
Security Pedro Sousa Abreu and requested Portugal's support
for the draft exemption at the August 21 meeting. Sousa
Abreu responded that it wouldn't be a problem; the draft is
acceptable to the GOP. While he noted that the text would
make an exemption for India, and that Portugal was satisfied
that the language put the necessary safeguards into place, he
emphasized that Portugal believed all exemptions should be on
a case by case basis. He added that Portugal was grateful
for U.S. efforts to respond to Portugal's initial concerns
about the NSG text and said he hopes India also accepts the
draft text.

2. Portugal's Ambassador in Vienna will lead the GOP
delegation at the August 21 meeting.
Ballard

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