NETHERLANDS/CUBA: SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003191

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015
TAGS: PREL ETRD ETTC CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE
LIBERTAD ACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 207359

B. THE HAGUE 01439

C. THE HAGUE 01626

Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew J. Schofer for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Post recommends the President continue
suspension of Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic
Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act with regard to the Netherlands.
Renewed suspension of the LIBERTAD Act for the Netherlands is
in the national interest and will expedite a transition to
democracy in Cuba. The Dutch continue to cooperate toward
our shared goal of a free and democratic Cuba; Foreign
Minister Bot recently explained to Dutch Parliament that
Dutch policies and activities emphasize promotion of human
rights and freedoms. The Dutch strive to forge a common EU
position on Cuba, which they view as essential for advancing
the cause of Cuban dissidents. Dutch NGOs continue to
advocate for a democratic post-Castro Cuba and to speak out
against arbitrary detention of prisoners of conscience.
Dutch investment in Cuba is minimal. END SUMMARY

DUTCH POLICY EMPHASIZES PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
-------------- --------------


2. (C) The Netherlands continues to actively promote a
common EU position in Cuba with the long term goal of
democratic change; In June 2005, Foreign Minister Bot
explained to the Dutch Parliament that "maintaining a
unanimous Cuba policy is of major importance to the policy's
effectiveness." During the same address, Bot pointed to the
Dutch Embassy's presence at the Easter March of "Damas de
Blanco" (wives and relatives of imprisoned Cuban dissidents)
and at a May meeting with members of the Asamblea para
Promover la Sociedad Civil (Assembly for the Promotion of
Civil Society) as evidence of Dutch, and EU, concern for
human rights in Cuba. Bot approvingly added, "the visit of
any EU official is always used to raise the human rights
situation in Cuba and to press for the release of all
political prisoners."


3. (C) The Dutch view themselves as a voice of moderation in
the EU between Spain's active engagement with Cuba and the
"hard" line espoused by the Czech Republic (ref B). Peter
van der Geer (Policy Officer, Western Hemisphere Affairs
Department, MFA) explained the Dutch instinctively lean more
toward the Czech way of thinking but are prepared to strike a
more conciliatory posture in the interest of articulating a
common EU position.


4. (C) While the Dutch are willing to bend a little in order
to harmonize with its EU partners, they remain steadfast in
their condemnation of human rights conditions in Cuba. In
his June remarks to the Dutch Parliament, Bot asserted that,
if the EU common position did not result in an improvement of
the human rights situation, "the government of the
Netherlands will press for further intensification of support
to peaceful dissidents, including support to free and
independent media, and initiatives that may increase the
Cuban people's access to objective news sources."

DUTCH NGOS FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA
--------------


5. (C) Several Dutch NGOs actively promote awareness of human
rights conditions in Cuba. Cuba Futuro, an Amsterdam-based
NGO with which Post is in close contact, regularly posts
information of arbitrary arrests and detentions of political
prisoners on their website, www.cuba-futuro.org. On November
16, Cuba Futuro posted a detailed condemnation of the
arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of six dissidents. Cuba
Futuro also maintains close contact with Dutch government
counterparts; Van der Geer explained that his office often
coordinates activities with the group.

DUTCH INVESTMENT IN CUBA
--------------


6. (C) Dutch investment in Cuba has changed little since
Post's previous report (ref C). Dutch investment therefore
remains minimal. The largest Dutch business interest in Cuba
is Damex Shipyards, which operates a facility in Santiago (El
Nispero Shipyard). UK-Dutch consumer products company
Unilever and Netherlands-based international bank ING
maintain small sales and representation offices.
BLAKEMAN