ITALY - LIBERTAD ACT TITLE III WAIVER REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 004474

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM ETTC CU IT UN
SUBJECT: ITALY - LIBERTAD ACT TITLE III WAIVER REVIEW

REF: A. SECSTATE 248337


B. ROME 02517

C. ROME 04198

Classified By: Labor Counselor Candace Putnam for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary. Mission believes renewing the Title III
Libertad Act waiver would enhance the possibility of
increased US-Italian cooperation on Cuba and have a positive
impact on already strong bilateral relations with Italy.
Italian policy towards Cuba follows the EU Common Position,
which is based on constructive engagement. In 2003, Italy,
as EU Presidency, led the EU in taking Q more critical stance
towards the Castro regime which, in the view of many EU
members, ha resulted in a loss of clout by EU missions in
Q
Havana and, consequently, a push by some membeQs to
reevaluate the Common Position. Italy co.tinues to support
the fundamentals of the Cmmon Position avely
participating iprove measures to
stQtion. Further bilateral
olicy could best be ensurtle III Libertad Act wQ (C) On November 23, relations
@iB@d
human rphe policy of constructi 2003 Italy led the EU the unacceptable attitude o towards EU
delegations Italy has followed EU
).



3. (C) the increased criticism@t since 2003 has providm for moral support fornd
democratic movements `ed that this
harsher lin@ter difficulty for EU
n Havana to engage the Castro regime. This loss of
leverage in Havana has led EU members, some more than others
(Spain),to push for a reexamination of the Common Position.


4. (C) Miraglia stated that at the COLAT meeting on November
16, members reached consensus on the need to maintain and
adhere to the fundamentals of the Common Position. Having
reconfirmed the value of the Common Position, he said members
agreed to explore specific strategies and actions to allow
them to regain leverage in Havana and regain the lost
momentum of constructive engagement. He said EU mission heads
were analyzing the issue and would continue the discussion at
the next COLAT in December. (Note: Miraglia had stated
something similar for the November 16 COLAT - ref C).


5. (C) Miraglia said no decision had been made and did not
offer any specifics on possible strategies but mentioned the
agreed need to renew the "critical dialogue" with the Castro
regime and develop a more "structured and efficient dialogue"
with dissidents without sacrificing the fundamentals of the
Common Position. How this would be achieved, he said, would
be decided later.


6. (C) Italy's continued support for the fundamentals of the
Common Position and caution on this issue makes Italy a
reasonable and effective partner through whom we can reach
other EU members. We believe that renewal of the Title III
waiver for Italy would have a positive impact on our already
strong bilateral relations and prospects for further
cooperation on Cuba policy and would not jeopardize U.S
national interests.


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2004ROME04474 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL