NEW ZEALAND POLICIES AND ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000555

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA, EAP/ANP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2014
TAGS: ETTC PREL NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND POLICIES AND ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARD
TO CUBA

REF: STATE 135512

Classified By: ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION,
TIMOTHY P. ZUNIGA-BROWN, FOR REASONS 1.5(B,D)


1. (C) The Government of New Zealand formalized diplomatic
relations with Cuba in 2001, with their Ambassador resident
in Mexico City accredited to Havana. According to Mike Shaw,
Americas Division, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, the GoNZ uses meetings with Cuban officials to
"express its concern over the human rights situation in Cuba,
and encourage moves towards democratization and the promotion
of human rights. These include the proper treatment of those
who hold political views in opposition to the Cuban
government." This is consistent with the GoNZ's policy of
engagement with states that have poor human rights records.
Post is unaware of any NZ entity or nationals who would be
subject to Title III of the LIBERTAD Act. The GoNZ would
strenuously object to any effort to apply Title III to a NZ
national or entity on extraterritoriality grounds. The GoNZ
is strongly supportive of U.S. positions re Cuba's human
rights record, and use of Title III would jeopardize
continued good-faith cooperation.


2. (SBU) Economically, Cuba was New Zealand's 40th largest
trading partner in calendar year 2003, with exports to Cuba
at NZ$68 million (USD42.1 million,) and imports at NZ$934,000
(USD579,000.) 97 percent of these exports were in the dairy
sector, specifically milk powder.
Swindells