Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS4558
2005-06-29 13:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004558
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL FR CU
SUBJECT: FRANCE ON CUBA
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004558
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL FR CU
SUBJECT: FRANCE ON CUBA
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: US Interest Section Havana Principal Officer
Designate Michael Parmly met June 27 with MFA WHA
A/S-equivalent Daniel Parfait to discuss the French position
on Cuba. Parfait underlined that the French share our
overall assessment of the Castro regime; however, they favor
a slightly different approach. GOF priorities include
facilitating the transition to a democratic Cuba without
bloodshed and reaching out to dissidents as well as the
broader Cuban population. Parfait encouraged increased
dialogue with the U.S. at all levels regarding Cuba. End
Summary.
Shared Analysis
--------------
2. (C) Parfait began the meeting by noting that the GOF
shared our analysis of the situation in Cuba. He indicated
that while there had been a great deal of debate within the
EU regarding various scenarios that might play out in Cuba,
it was clear to him that the regime is in its final stages.
The last 50 years had brought little change for the Cubans,
who had sacrificed much for the promise of a better future
that has never materialized, according to Parfait. While
there was a certain national pride in some areas - notably
health care and education - Parfait believed that there was
an underlying discontent among the citizens. Parfait
described what he perceived to be a sense of lassitude, as
well as waiting, from the majority of Cubans, who are unsure
of what will happen after Castro.
Peaceful Transition a Priority
--------------
3. (C) Parfait indicated that one of the primary GOF
concerns in Cuba was preparing for the inevitable post-Castro
transition, a goal he described as a democratic Cuba without
a bloodbath. This hope of a peaceful transition was one of
the driving forces behind the suspension of EU sanctions in
order to facilitate contact with members of the Cuban
government. While countries such as Poland and the Czech
Republic were opposed to the suspension of sanctions because
of their history with Communism, Parfait explained, the
policy had led to the Cubans freezing relations with European
embassies. It is possible that some of those in the current
regime would continue in the next government, Parfait
continued, and thus it would therefore be wise to have access
and a dialogue with them.
Contact with Dissidents
--------------
4. (C) On the subject of dissidents, Parfait stated that it
was important to defend the courage of those who have spoken
out against the Castro regime. Parfait claimed that France
had not been among the strongest supporters of Spain's push
to extend the suspension of sanctions and, in fact, that
contact with dissidents had increased under the new EU
policy, both bilaterally and in monthly EU meetings.
However, he expressed a degree of caution, noting that some
dissidents and civil society members were not characteristic
or representative of Cubans as a whole, but rather out for
themselves. Parfait expressed satisfaction that the May 20
dissident meeting had been allowed to occur, but contrasted
this to the fact that dissidents were still unjustly
imprisoned. In addition to interaction with dissidents,
Parfait hoped to increase contact with the broader Cuban
community. Parfait recognized that the Cuban government
prevented the U.S. from communicating as much as it would
like with the Cuban populace and admitted that the French had
little contact outside of Havana. Parfait wrapped up the
meeting by emphasizing that while our methods differed, our
goals were the same, and pushing for increased dialogue with
the U.S. at all levels to compare impressions and share
assessments.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) It is noteworthy that Parfait did not criticize U.S.
Cuba policy during the meeting and mentioned the embargo only
once in passing. France has been helpful in securing the
passage of resolutions critical of Cuba in the last several
sessions of the Commission on Human Rights. Although it has
tended to defer to the Spanish on the EU common position on
Cuba, France may be among the countries to target when the
sanctions come under review again next summer. End Comment.
6. (U) Principal Officer Designate Michael Parmly did not
clear this cable before its transmission.
WOLFF
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL FR CU
SUBJECT: FRANCE ON CUBA
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: US Interest Section Havana Principal Officer
Designate Michael Parmly met June 27 with MFA WHA
A/S-equivalent Daniel Parfait to discuss the French position
on Cuba. Parfait underlined that the French share our
overall assessment of the Castro regime; however, they favor
a slightly different approach. GOF priorities include
facilitating the transition to a democratic Cuba without
bloodshed and reaching out to dissidents as well as the
broader Cuban population. Parfait encouraged increased
dialogue with the U.S. at all levels regarding Cuba. End
Summary.
Shared Analysis
--------------
2. (C) Parfait began the meeting by noting that the GOF
shared our analysis of the situation in Cuba. He indicated
that while there had been a great deal of debate within the
EU regarding various scenarios that might play out in Cuba,
it was clear to him that the regime is in its final stages.
The last 50 years had brought little change for the Cubans,
who had sacrificed much for the promise of a better future
that has never materialized, according to Parfait. While
there was a certain national pride in some areas - notably
health care and education - Parfait believed that there was
an underlying discontent among the citizens. Parfait
described what he perceived to be a sense of lassitude, as
well as waiting, from the majority of Cubans, who are unsure
of what will happen after Castro.
Peaceful Transition a Priority
--------------
3. (C) Parfait indicated that one of the primary GOF
concerns in Cuba was preparing for the inevitable post-Castro
transition, a goal he described as a democratic Cuba without
a bloodbath. This hope of a peaceful transition was one of
the driving forces behind the suspension of EU sanctions in
order to facilitate contact with members of the Cuban
government. While countries such as Poland and the Czech
Republic were opposed to the suspension of sanctions because
of their history with Communism, Parfait explained, the
policy had led to the Cubans freezing relations with European
embassies. It is possible that some of those in the current
regime would continue in the next government, Parfait
continued, and thus it would therefore be wise to have access
and a dialogue with them.
Contact with Dissidents
--------------
4. (C) On the subject of dissidents, Parfait stated that it
was important to defend the courage of those who have spoken
out against the Castro regime. Parfait claimed that France
had not been among the strongest supporters of Spain's push
to extend the suspension of sanctions and, in fact, that
contact with dissidents had increased under the new EU
policy, both bilaterally and in monthly EU meetings.
However, he expressed a degree of caution, noting that some
dissidents and civil society members were not characteristic
or representative of Cubans as a whole, but rather out for
themselves. Parfait expressed satisfaction that the May 20
dissident meeting had been allowed to occur, but contrasted
this to the fact that dissidents were still unjustly
imprisoned. In addition to interaction with dissidents,
Parfait hoped to increase contact with the broader Cuban
community. Parfait recognized that the Cuban government
prevented the U.S. from communicating as much as it would
like with the Cuban populace and admitted that the French had
little contact outside of Havana. Parfait wrapped up the
meeting by emphasizing that while our methods differed, our
goals were the same, and pushing for increased dialogue with
the U.S. at all levels to compare impressions and share
assessments.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) It is noteworthy that Parfait did not criticize U.S.
Cuba policy during the meeting and mentioned the embargo only
once in passing. France has been helpful in securing the
passage of resolutions critical of Cuba in the last several
sessions of the Commission on Human Rights. Although it has
tended to defer to the Spanish on the EU common position on
Cuba, France may be among the countries to target when the
sanctions come under review again next summer. End Comment.
6. (U) Principal Officer Designate Michael Parmly did not
clear this cable before its transmission.
WOLFF