Portugal in the nude - Wikileaks

Portugal is currently at 1.3 percent and

spends that money unwisely.

The image

of generals sitting around doing nothing is no mere allegory.

Portugal has an additional 170 generals and admirals receiving

full pay while in inactive reserve status.

tight budget

Regarding defense procurement, the MOD´s desires

and actions seem to be guided by peer pressure and the desire

for expensive toys.

Portugal suffers from an inferiority complex

and a sense of being economically, politically, and militarily

weaker than its European and transatlantic partners.

GOP will never miss an opportunity to procrastinate.

excruciating delays in Portuguese decision-making

native mistrust

Complicating this

mindset is a set of structural impediments, including severe

budgetary pressures and an ossified hierarchy.

one of the perverse legacies

of the 1974 transition to democracy and the end of Portugal´s

colonial wars, the uniformed services have a status quo culture

that fills flag billets with time-servers who evaded controversy,

rather than with creative thinkers promoted for performance.

Wait around long enough, officers tell us, and you will make

colonel or general. This culture cultivates risk-averse thinking

and a top-heavy officer corps where delaying a decision is often

the best decision for all concerned.