Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04PARIS5419
2004-07-19 16:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

GOF/NGOS AND CUBAN OUTREACH

Tags:  PREL PHUM CU FR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

191657Z Jul 04

ACTION WHA-00 

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 
 EAP-00 EUR-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 NSAE-00 OMB-00 
 PA-00 FMPC-00 R-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 
 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /000W
 ------------------41F835 191702Z /38 
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4574
INFO EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 005419 

SIPDIS


FOR EUR/WE AND WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM CU FR
SUBJECT: GOF/NGOS AND CUBAN OUTREACH

REF: A. PARIS 4951


B. STATE 152813

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 005419

SIPDIS


FOR EUR/WE AND WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM CU FR
SUBJECT: GOF/NGOS AND CUBAN OUTREACH

REF: A. PARIS 4951


B. STATE 152813

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: The GOF shares USG goals of facilitating a
transition towards democracy, supporting Cuban Civil society,
and preparing for a post-dictatorship Cuba. The GOF, French
public, and NGOs, however, are critical of the US embargo of
Cuba. France's Cuba policy remains anchored in the EU common
position. To be most effective, a USG initiative should be
cast as an effort to initiate a dialogue with the EU -- in
capitals and in Brussels -- on possible joint action. French
NGOs, several currently engaged with Cuban civil society, are
more likely to respond to overtures from US-based NGOs than
from the USG. End Summary.

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GOF
--------------


2. (U) The GOF holds to the common EU position on Cuba,
adopted by the EU Council of Ministers in December 1996. In
response to Cuba's arrest of 75 dissidents in March 2003 and
reinstatement of the death penalty, France, along with the
other members of the European Union, condemned the abuse of
human rights and fundamental freedoms and instituted a number
of sanctions in a June 5, 2003 declaration and reaffirmed its
position in regards to Cuba and the previously imposed
restrictions in its statement of June 14, 2004. In observing
these restrictions, France has, among other things, invited a
number of dissidents to the July 14, 2003 Bastille Day
celebration in Havana. A May 2003 reevaluation and
redistribution of its bilateral assistance to Cuba resulted
in Havana unilaterally refusing French assistance and
severing negotiations on new programs. Castro has also cut
official contact between the GOC and the French Embassy in
Havana. Most recently, France and other EU member states
voted with the United States to condemn the human rights
situation in Cuba in a close 22 to 21 vote April 15 at the
60th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.


3. (U) The mayors of Strasbourg and Paris have both
supported the twinning of libraries in France with
independent libraries in Cuba through the Support Group for
the Independent Libraries (Paris).

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NGOs
--------------


4. (U) There are a number of French NGOs very active in
promoting human rights and the peaceful transition toward
democracy in Cuba. Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters
Without Borders) has sharply criticized the regime in Havana,
calling Castro a "predator of press freedom" and labeling
Cuba as "the world's biggest prison for journalists." They
have actively encouraged European parliamentarians to sign a
"Brussels Declaration" in which they undertake to constantly
petition the Cuban government for the release of the 75
dissidents arrested in March 2003 and to call on the
"European Commission and Council to pursue policies
consistent with this goal." Reporters Without Borders has
also launched a campaign aimed at discouraging the
approximately 800,000 European tourists who visit Cuba each
year, employing the slogan, "Cuba Si, Castro No."


5. (U) The Free Cuba Solidarity Collective is made up of
representatives from several other NGOs operating out of
France, including Action Droits de l,Homme, Free Cuba
European Association, and the Third Cuban Republic
Association. They organize a weekly protest in front of the
Cuban Embassy in Paris and arranged a meeting in April
between members of the French National Assembly and Cuban
dissidents in Paris to thank the representatives for their
solidarity in sponsoring 79 Cuban political prisoners.

--------------
Assessment
--------------


6. (C) Comment: There is support in France for the promotion
of human rights and democratic development in a post-Castro
Cuba, but there is also a widespread public view that the US
embargo of Cuba makes life more difficult for the average
Cuban without materially changing Castro-regime policy. This
view is shared at the policy level in the GOF, and is also
reflected in the EU common policy on Cuba, to which France
will continue to adhere. To be most effective, a USG
approach seeking to encourage greater activism in support of
Cuban opposition groups and to exert greater pressure on the
Castro regime to respect human rights should be cast as a

desire to dialogue with the EU -- in capitals and in Brussels
-- to explore possible joint measures. There is also scope
for discussion with key Parliamentarians about how to best
support the cause of human rights and democratic transition
in Cuba. Several active NGOs exist in France that currently
coordinate efforts with some members of Cuban civil society.
These NGOs share the public and official criticism of the US
embargo of Cuba, and would therefore be more receptive to
suggestions for joint efforts coming from US-based NGOs than
from the USG. End Comment.
Leach


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