Portugal EUA WikiLeaks Cable Sócrates Autorizou Voos CIA de Repatriamento de presos de Guantánamo caso por caso

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Cable onde se disse que Sócrates autorizou os voos de repatriação de prisioneiros de Guantánamo
O primeiro ministro português deu luz verde à "repatriação de combatentes inimigos" desde a prisão de Guantánamo através da base aérea das Lajes, caso por caso. A decisão nunca se tornou pública

ID:	121418
Date:	2007-09-07 16:09:00
Origin:	07LISBON2307
Source:	Embassy Lisbon
Classification:	SECRET
Dunno:
Destination:	VZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLI #2307/01 2501609 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 071609Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6222 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T LISBON 002307 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM AMBASSADOR ALFRED HOFFMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2017 TAGS: PREL, PO SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR THE PRESIDENT'S SEPTEMBER 17 MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER SOCRATES Classified By: Ambassador Alfred Hoffman for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 1. (SBU) Mr. President: Your meeting with Prime Minister Socrates -- two months into Portugal's EU presidency -- provides an excellent early opportunity to try to shape the Portuguese government's priorities in a direction consistent with U.S. interests, both from a bilateral perspective and in the EU context. Portugal - A Steadfast Ally --------------------------- 2. (C) Portugal, a founding member of NATO, is a steadfast ally that has consistently stood by our side over the years under both center-right and center-left governments. The President and Prime Minister -- from opposing political parties -- each regularly stress that trans-Atlantic relations are a pillar of Portuguese foreign policy and that NATO is the primary guarantor of European security. At our request, Portugal ultimately withdrew its leading candidacy to host the 2008 NATO Summit in favor of Romania. In return, the USG agreed to support Portugal's bid to host the 2010 NATO Summit. 3. (SBU) Portugal has provided virtually free access to Portuguese air and seaports for military support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, with over three thousand flights a year transiting Lajes Air Base in the Azores. It has also granted permission to use Lajes in support of repatriation of detainees from Guatanamo. Despite severe budgetary constraints, it is currently engaged internationally on numerous fronts with military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan (where it has lost one soldier), East Timor, Kosovo, and Lebanon, and, until recently, in Bosnia and the Congo. Portugal has been an outstanding partner in the war on terror and collaborates actively with us as a member of the Proliferation Security Initiative, the Container Security Initiative, and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. EU presidency priorities ------------------------ 4. (C) While agreement on the shape of a new EU treaty was achieved during the German presidency, detailed negotiation and signature of the document have fallen to the Portuguese presidency, which hopes to secure endorsement of a final text by the heads of government meeting in December. This internal EU task has not derailed Portugal's external policy goals, but it has absorbed scarce resources and high-level attention within the Portuguese government. 5. (U) Socrates and other senior Portuguese officials have noted that the EU's biggest foreign policy concern is along its southern and southeastern borders, which are threatened by radical Islam and poverty. He has proposed strengthening the EU's ties to Washington, Moscow, and Mediterranean countries to help contain radical Islam in that region; this strategy includes lending strong support to Turkish accession to the EU, involving the EU more closely in the Middle East Peace Process, and strengthening the EU's economic and cultural ties to the region through the Barcelona Process. 6. (C) So far during their Presidency, the Portuguese have taken a primarily facilitative approach, seeking broad consensus on most issues. They have dedicated their individual efforts to the few issues they care most about: a strategic partnership with Africa and the Middle East processes noted above. Beyond those issues, the Portuguese governmental structure has engaged in efforts to strengthen EU ties with Brazil, India, China, Russia, and Ukraine through high-profile summits. 7. (C) The EU-Brazil summit in Lisbon the first week of Portugal's presidency was successful in establishing a long-term relationship with a significant partner and energizing the debate in Europe on biofuels. Portuguese interlocutors candidly told us that they did not expect much and that the summit was only the first step toward an EU-Brazil strategic partnership, but that they were delighted with the outcome. We believe this may raise Portuguese ambitions for the other summits. Suggested areas of focus ------------------------ 8. (C) Kosovo: The Portuguese believe the current Troika-led negotiations are a necessary last effort but are not optimistic about the outcome. They believe Kosovar independence is inevitable, but worry about both the Kosovars moving too quickly and the perceived need to have Russian agreement on any solution. The Portuguese are working to find a legal mechanism that permits individual member states to recognize an independent Kosovo absent a UNSCR, and that provides the basis for deployment of an EU rule of law mission. They need to hear from you that leaving Kosovo in limbo is not an option, that giving Russia veto power over foreign policy challenges in the heart of Europe sets a troubling precedent, and that the world needs resolution on this troubling issue this year. 9. (C) Russia: Prime Minister Socrates visited Moscow recently and was criticized in many quarters for his failure to address Russia's aggressive behavior against EU allies Poland and Estonia, human rights issues, or Moscow's penchant for rhetoric and gamesmanship on energy and security. Portugal currently does not depend on Russia for any energy needs, although that dynamic may be changing, given recent collaborative efforts between the national oil company and Gazprom, and Gazprom's collaboration with Algeria's Sonatrach, which provides a majority of Portugal's natural gas needs. Socrates's advisors suggested to us following the trip that we needed to tone down our own rhetoric in order to elicit more constructive engagement from Moscow. One senior advisor even suggested that our plan to place the missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic -- the two more problematic EU member states -- had not helped matters when we wanted the EU to come to our defense. 10. (C) Middle East: The Portuguese believe they have little historical baggage in the region and thus can advance progress on key issues. They have stressed many times and at the highest levels that the Road Map is the way forward, but that it needs to be reinvigorated. Foreign Minister Amado has traveled extensively to the Middle East and was one of the first to call for a special session of EU Foreign Ministers at the onset of last summer's hostilities in Lebanon. In addition, Portugal has contributed an Army engineering company to UNIFIL. Portugal shares our deep concerns about Iran's nuclear weapons program and has been very supportive of efforts to increase pressure on Tehran. 11. (C) Afghanistan: Portuguese Special Forces and other troops serve without caveat and are engaged in heavy fighting in the volatile south. In addition, in response to an appeal from the United States, Portugal recently agreed to assume leadership of one Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT). The Portuguese stress that they are with us in Afghanistan for the duration of NATO operations so congratulations for their current contributions are in order as well as encouragement to continue. Portugal has contributed $2 million in assistance; however, they are financially over-stretched and have not given more because of budgetary constraints. 12. (C) Iraq: Portugal had an infantry company in Iraq for two years and also contributed trainers for the police training mission. Portugal recently downsized its diplomatic presence in Baghdad because of cost (its operations were four times as expensive as any other embassy), but let us know far in advance and wanted to coordinate what they said publicly as they were sensitive to the political ramifications. 13. (C) Africa: Portugal has a special relationship with Africa, particularly with its former colonies. It intends to host an EU-Africa Summit, although it has tried to deflect diplomatic conflict over the potential attendance of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe who is subject to an EU travel ban. The UK, the Netherlands, and others may not attend at the head of government level should Mugabe participate. Although the Portuguese have led the development of an action plan between the EU and African Union, the negative ramifications of Mugabe's presence in Lisbon could overshadow any accomplishments. 14. (SBU) Major Economies Meeting: Socrates was pleased that Portugal, in its capacity as EU President, was invited to represent the European Union at the September 27-28 Major Economies Meeting on Climate Change and Energy Security in Washington. He is strong proponent of environmental issues, having served as Environment Minister from 1999-2002. The current Environment State Secretary Humberto Rosa is scheduled to lead the delegation. Particular Bilateral Points ---------------------------- 15. (SBU) The Portuguese government has, at the highest levels, stressed its interest in collaborating with the United States to strengthen security and stability in Africa, an effort which has begun in earnest. We are conducting joint demining training in Guinea-Bissau and are looking at developing an HIV prevention program for African armed forces. We are also exploring opportunities to work together in the Special Operations arena in Africa. We hope to include the Portuguese in peacekeeping training in Mozambique and Angola under the African Contingency Operations training and Assistance (ACOTA) program and a joint State-Defense team from Washington recently visited Lisbon to discuss further opportunities. In addition, our Department of Commerce has been working with Portuguese counterparts on a program to computerize Angola's judicial records. 16. (S/NF) Socrates agreed to allow the repatriation of enemy combatants out of Guatanamo through Lajes Air Base on a case-by-case basis. This was a difficult decision, given the sustained criticism by Portuguese media and leftist elements of his own party over the government's handling of the CIA rendition flights controversy. Socrates's agreement has never been made public. The Attorney General's Office was forced to review a dossier of news clippings and unsubstantiated allegations regarding CIA rendition operations through Portugal provided by a member of the European Parliament. The AG's report should be released in the near future. Although we cannot predict its conclusions, government insiders and legal scholars have told us there was no useful or prosecutable information in the dossier. Prime Minister Socrates ----------------------- 17. (C) Socrates is a telegenic and charismatic leader, who worked hard to improve his English in advance of the EU presidency. He relies on advice from a small circle of advisors. He is a very moderate Socialist who has been successful at co-opting or marginalizing the leftists in his party, from whom he has taken some heat for his pro-U.S. policies. He also aggressively pursued his domestic agenda before assuming the EU presidency, achieving difficult labor and social security reforms and reducing Portugal's budget deficit to near EU-mandated levels. Hoffman

Portugal WikiLeaks Cable EUA Pedem Autorização Uzo base das Lajes para Transportar Presos Guantánamo

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Cable onde EUA pedem autorização para usar a base das Lajes para repatriar prisioneiros de Guantánamo
O embaixador dos EUA em Lisboa, Alfred Hoffman, pede ao ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros de Portugal, Luis Amado, luz verde para o uso da base das Lajes (Açores), para escala ds vuelos de repatriamento de prisioneiros de Guantánamo

ID:	77718
Date:	2006-09-08 16:57:00
Origin:	06LISBON1921
Source:	Embassy Lisbon
Classification:	SECRET
Dunno:	05LISBON1609 06LISBON1593 06LISBON1845 06STATE147780
Destination:	VZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLI #1921/01 2511657 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 081657Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5129 INFO RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T LISBON 001921 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2026 TAGS: MOPS, PREL, PTER, PO, US, VE SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR - FOREIGN MINISTER TOUR D'HORIZON REF: A. STATE 147780 B. 2005 LISBON 1609 C. LISBON 1845 D. LISBON 1593 Classified By: Classified by Pol/Econ Officer Cari Enav for reasons 1.4 (a) (b) and (d) Summary ----------- 1. (S/NF) Ambassador Hoffman's meeting with Foreign Minister Amado on September 8 covered the waterfront of issues. The Minister said that he would push hard with the Prime Minister to allow Lajes to be used as a transit point in repatriating Guantanamo detainees (ref a). During recent closed testimony before the Portuguese Parliament, he did not diverge from his predecessor's position that the Portuguese government was not aware of any CIA flights on/through Portugal (ref b). He highlighted the EU's increased involvement in the Middle East, calling for greater engagement with Syria to isolate Iran. Amado said he would encourage other members of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Nations (CPLP) to vote for Guatemala for the UNSC. Amado reiterated his request to meet with Secretary Rice as soon as possible to discuss the Guantanamo SIPDIS detainee repatriation request in addition to Portugal's upcoming EU Presidency agenda. Transit at Lajes for Detainee Flights ------------------------------------------- 2. (S/NF) Ambassador Hoffman gave the Foreign Minister a copy of President Bush's Sept. 6 speech on the Global War on Terrorism, noting the President's desire to be transparent and to address the suspended state of many Guantanamo detainees. He asked the Minister if the USG could use Lajes as a transit point for flights returning detainees to their home countries, per ref a. Minister Amado said that he needed to check with the Prime Minister who would be difficult to convince, but that he would push hard for Portuguese cooperation so long as there was total transparency. Details would need to be worked out; there would need to be a clear political approach. He underscored that there could be tremendous negative fallout if this was not done right. The timing was not ideal on the heels of his Sept. 5 testimony on CIA flights. He promised to provide an interim answer next week. He said that he needed to meet with Secretary Rice to discuss this and a host of related issues. 3. (S/NF) Amado said that the return of Guantanamo detainees would be an excellent opportunity for the USG to "turn the page" and to begin working on a new human rights image. Europe understood the USG reaction to the horrific events of 9/11, but it was time to return to normalcy since effective security measures had been put in place. He noted that Europe and the US shared a value system and that this initiative provided an excellent base upon which to rebuild the framework of cooperation. Testimony on CIA Flights ------------------------------- 4. (C) Minister Amado said that his Sept. 5 closed-door testimony on CIA flights before Portugal's Parliament did not diverge from his predecessor's position that the Portuguese government was not aware of any CIA flights on/ through Portuguese soil. Amado commented, "I said what (Freitas do Amaral) said." He also reiterated the government's willingness to revamp the legal framework for the clearance process. He added that Freitas do Amaral had sent a letter to the European Parliament's Temporary Committee investigating CIA flights in response to its inquiries. Amado commented that the media had misquoted him when it said that he had acknowledged CIA flights. All he said was that he had the same list of flights as Eurocontrol had. 5. (C) In addition to European Parliament agitation on this issue, Amado expressed a need to control his own Socialist Party. He said there was not a broad consensus within the party to pursue a strong transatlantic foreign policy and that there was concern that the "left wing" within the party could break away in response to the government's handling of human rights and security issues. 6. (C) Ambassador Hoffman assured Amado that the US was very careful to abide by all its agreements with Portugal - in word and in spirit - and that the Ambassador had shared all the information he had on the subject with Amado. Underscoring USG position on Middle East --------------------------------------------- ------- 7. (C) Ambassador Hoffman thanked Amado for his pro-active role within the EU during the recent conflict in Lebanon and for Portugal's contribution to UNIFIL. He urged Portugal to encourage continued EU coordination on Middle East policy, underscored the four principles guiding US policy on Syria, and reiterated the importance of diplomatically isolating Iran. He asked that Portugal encourage other EU members to do the same and that Portugal inform Post in advance of any official meetings with controversial figures. EU's New Role ------------------- 8. (C) Amado commented that at the beginning of August, the EU had "nothing to say" on developments in the Middle East, and that many member-states were afraid that the conflict in Lebanon would spiral out of control. A month later, the Council of Ministers had met three times and agreed to pursue a greater political and military role - beyond the traditional role of providing development and humanitarian assistance. Amado underscored that there was a strong desire within the EU to coordinate initiatives with the US so as not to open a new rift in the transatlantic relationship. He said the EU needed "to coordinate internally, with the US and with Russia" on finding solutions to the Middle East's many problems. Amado says - Engage Syria, Isolate Iran --------------------------------------------- ------ 9. (C) Amado said that Iran posed the greatest threat since WWII - alluding to the country's growing influence in the Middle East, the spread of Islamic fundamentalism, and its nuclear program - and underscored the need for all sides to work together on solving the problem. (Note: He did not offer any concrete examples.) He agreed with the USG's four basic principles on Syria. However, he added, the EU thought it was important to engage Syria, and that by doing so, the West would be in a better position to isolate Iran. On the other hand, if the West isolated Syria, it would push the country further into Iran's sphere of influence. He noted that officials from Finland, Greece, Germany and Spain had recently met with Syrian officials, and he encouraged the US to have greater political contact with Syria. He said that he had agreed to meet with Syrian Foreign Minister Bilal after learning that several Socialist Party members had already agreed to do so (ref c) . 10. (C) Amado said that the EU wanted to isolate Iran by enhancing the role of the Arab League in drawing a distinction between Arab and Islamic identity. Limiting the spread of Islamic fundamentalismhe declared, could limit Iran's influence in the Muslim world. He did not buy into any of the claims by Syrian Information Minister Bilal that the US was to blame for all the Middle East's woes, underscoring to Bilal the strong US-Portuguese alliance and the strong role the US played in the global arena. He urged Syria to focus on the issues, not play the blame game. Urging the CPLP to support Guatemala --------------------------------------------- --- 11. (C) The Ambassador encouraged Portugal to reach out to the Lusophone community to urge support for Guatemala's election to the UNSC. Amado said he planned to do so when he meets with members of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Nations (CPLP) in New York later this month. Amado would not confirm an official visit by Hugo Chavez to Portugal later this year (ref d). While admitting that they could not hold him off forever, Amado commented that no arrangements had been made to receive Chavez. He added that he had recently met with Brazilian President Lula, who he thought could offer useful insight into dealing with Venezuela. Portugal planned to have greater dialogue with Lula should he win reelection. He emphasized the need for strong US engagement with Brazil to manage the Venezuela situation. Comment ----------- 12. (S/NF) As usual, this was a very friendly and broad-ranging discussion. Amado is very pro-American and extremely accessible. He was strongly supportive of our request to use Lajes as a refueling/transit point for Gitmo detainees being returned to their home countries and was prepared to press the Prime Minister for an expeditious and positive response, so long as we continue to be fully transparent with the GOP about the flights. Hoffman

Wikileaks Portugal Diplomatas EUA agradeceram a Sócrates uso Base das Lajes para Repatriamento de Presos de Guantánamo e o Presidente da República Cavaco Silva Sabia

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Telegrama agradece repatriamento de presos

Diplomatas revelam que Sócrates permitiu aos EUA utilizar as Lajes para o uso do espaço nacional com vista ao repatriamento de presos de Guantánamo.

Revelação De acordo com o El Pais, que teve acesso a um telegrama datado de Setembro de 2007, os diplomatas americanos em Portugal agradecem a José Sócrates por ter "permitido aos EUA usar a Base das Lajes, nos Açores, para repatriar detidos em Guantánamo", "uma decisão difícil que nunca foi tornada pública".

De facto, em Janeiro de 2008, o primeiro-ministro assegurou no Parlamento que nunca tinha recebido qualquer pedido dos EUA "para sobrevoo do nosso espaço aéreo ou para aterragem na Base das Lajes de aviões que se destinassem ao transporte ou à transferência de prisioneiros". Na altura, Sócrates chegou mesmo a garantir que "nenhum membro do Governo faltou à verdade sobre este caso".

A questão já tinha sido levantada esta semana quando a WikiLeaks divulgou um outro telegrama, de Outubro de 2006, que dava conta de "diligências" dos Estados Unidos junto de Portugal para usar o espaço aéreo português. Perante a Comissão Parlamentar de Negócios Estrangeiros, o ministro Luís Amado confirmou as diligências dos americanos mas voltou a afirmar que "não houve aviões com detidos de Guantánamo a sobrevoar Portugal". "Pura e simplesmente não houve voo nenhum. (...) Se tivesse havido operação [de repatriamento] teria sido pública, para ficar sob escrutínio público", garantiu o ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros.

Até à hora de fecho desta edição, o jornal espanhol não tinha ainda publicado o telegrama em causa, mas citava os diplomatas americanos tecendo elogios à actuação de Amado - a quem "Washington agradece ter tomado a iniciativa na Europa para levar outros países a ajudar os EUA com o encerramento de Guantánamo acolhendo presos" - e ainda do Presidente da República Cavaco Silva, que se mostrou "colaborador com este caso" e que em 2008 terá tranquilizado os americanos quanto à polémica dos voos da CIA dizendo, entre outras coisas, que Portugal tem "uma imprensa muito suave".