NEW ZEALAND POLICIES AND ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000427

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA, EAP/ANP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2015
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL NZ CU
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND POLICIES AND ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARD
TO CUBA

REF: SECSTATE 96300

Classified By: POL/ECON COUNSELOR KATHERINE HADDA,
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) The Government of New Zealand formalized diplomatic
relations with Cuba in 2001, with its Ambassador resident in
Mexico City accredited to Havana. Cuba's Ambassador to New
Zealand is resident in Jakarta and cross-accredited to
Wellington. According to Mike Shaw, Policy Officer, Americas
Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, no
significant change occurred in the diplomatic relationship
between New Zealand and Cuba during the past year.


2. (C) Shaw said that 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, he added.


3. (C) Post is unaware of any NZ entity or national 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 entity or national on extraterritoriality grounds.
While the GoNZ has not historically co-sponsored Cuba-related
resolutions at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights and is not
presently a member of the Commission, it is strongly
supportive of the U.S. positions regarding Cuba's human
rights record. Use of Title III would jeopardize continued
good-faith cooperation.


4. (SBU) Economically, no substantive change has developed
regarding New Zealand's trade and investment with Cuba during
the past year. In calendar year 2004, New Zealand's exports
to Cuba totaled NZD 80.9 million (USD 57.6 million) and
imports totaled NZD 1.08 million (USD 768,700.) As in 2003,
97 percent of total exports were in the dairy sector,
specifically powdered milk purchased by the Cuban government
primarily for its "milk in schools" program.
Swindells