SPAIN AND CUBAN OUTREACH

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002700

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/WE AND WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM CU SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN AND CUBAN OUTREACH

REF: A. STATE 152813

B. MADRID 2315

Classified By: Political Counselor Katherine M. Fitzpatrick,
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Ref A sought post's view on the likelihood the GOS or
Spanish NGOs would participate in outreach to Cuban civil
society to pressure the Castro government to hasten
democratic transition on the island. We discussed Cuba with
new MFA Director General for Latin America Sandomingo (Ref
B). The GOS will maintain a firm stand on Cuba but will not
actively work in the EU for a tougher line. The GOS is
prepared to normalize dialogue provided the Castro regime
takes positive steps showing dialogue would yield results,
but the GOS does not expect this to happen and therefore will
not do so. However, the GOS wants to open lines of
communication with the Cuban government. Given this stance,
it is post's judgment that the Zapatero government will not
be receptive to entreaties to engage in the activities
outlined by ref A to pressure the Cuban government further.
Nonetheless, the Foreign Ministry's Director General for
Latin America, Francisco Javier Sandomingo, will be visiting
with A/S Noriega and others Monday, July 19. His visit
provides an opportunity to sound out the Foreign Ministry
further on its approach to Cuba.


2. (C) Spain-based NGOs tend to be left leaning and while
they may favor dialogue with civil society, they are not
likely to favor activities that could be seen as designed to
pressure the Castro regime further. However, the principal
opposition Popular Party may be more amenable to engaging in
the type of activities envisioned by ref A. The party's
international affairs chief, Jorge Moragas, traveled to Cuba
July 13-17 to meet with Cuban dissidents, NGOs and the
Catholic Church.

MANZANARES