NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW REGARDING SUSPENSION OF TITLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 002618

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) AND WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2015
TAGS: CU ETRD ETTC PREL JM
SUBJECT: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW REGARDING SUSPENSION OF TITLE
III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 207359

B. KINGSTON 01447 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Brenda Johnson for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Post is unaware of any recent measures taken by the
GOJ to advance democracy, human rights, and fundamental
freedoms in Cuba. Post has no evidence that the GOJ has
substantially changed its policies or actions toward Cuba in
the six months since the submission of our last assessment in
June 2005 (Ref B). Jamaica continues to maintain cordial
diplomatic relations with Cuba, its close geographical
neighbor.


2. (U) In the past six months, Post is aware of two
cooperative ventures between Havana and Kingston. In July,
the Cuban government expanded the medical program &Mision
Milagro8 (Mission Miracle) to residents of the Caribbean,
providing operations in Cuba free of charge for people with
cataracts or other treatable eye conditions. Many of the
beneficiaries of the Cuban eye ophthalmological program are
indigent Jamaicans, many of whom had long been languishing on
GOJ public health waiting lists. This type of assistance by
the GOC has great public relations value, and the Castro
government's motives in providing such care are rarely if
ever questioned by Jamaicans. The program has received much
favorable press in Jamaica, with a number of rural residents
availing themselves of the plan.


3. (U) Jamaica and Cuba have also entered into a cooperation
agreement on energy conservation, under which Cuba will
provide energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs to every
household in East Kingston and Port Royal by March 2006 (both
are poorer areas). Furthermore, Cuba will assist in
Jamaica,s Rural Electrification Program and explore the uses
of hydroponics and biotechnology for inner city communities.
In return, Jamaica will offer technical expertise and support
for the establishment of wind farms in Cuba.


4. (C) Post continues to believe that suspension of the right
to bring action in U.S. courts against entities and nationals
trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba is necessary to
U.S. interests. Singling out Jamaican entities or nationals
for prosecution would be counterproductive in achieving other
USG objectives. In Post,s view, proceeding with the
implementation of Title III of the Libertad Act would
seriously complicate, and perhaps even compromise, our
efforts in areas of agreement. Actions against Jamaican
nationals would likely provoke a strong response from GOJ, at
a time when continued dialogue and close cooperation on
issues such as supporting the upcoming Haitian elections and
continuing our engagement with the GOJ to get them to better
appreciate Venezuela's likely hidden motives in PetroCaribe
implementation, is needed.
TIGHE