Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRATISLAVA359
2006-05-05 12:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
CUBA PULLS AMBASSADOR TO SLOVAKIA, MAY DOWNGRADE
how-toVZCZCXRO5333 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSL #0359 1251225 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051225Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9804 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0013
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000359
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM CU LO
SUBJECT: CUBA PULLS AMBASSADOR TO SLOVAKIA, MAY DOWNGRADE
RELATIONS
REF: 05 BRATISLAVA 922
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000359
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM CU LO
SUBJECT: CUBA PULLS AMBASSADOR TO SLOVAKIA, MAY DOWNGRADE
RELATIONS
REF: 05 BRATISLAVA 922
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Slovak MFA Director for the Americas Dusan Kristofik
told us May 4 that the Cuban Ambassador to the Slovak
Republic had departed recently "without saying goodbye," and
that the GOS did not receive any farewell calls. In fact,
Kristofik told us that the MFA found out of the Ambassador's
departure two weeks after the fact, when they received a
diplomatic note from the Cuban Embassy's Charge d'Affaires.
Kristofik tells us that he is unsure as to whether the Cubans
will downgrade the head of mission to the Charge level, but
they have heard nothing from Havana about a replacement for
the departed Ambassador.
2. (C) COMMENT: Slovakia's Embassy in Cuba has been
keeping busy on the island, visiting dissidents and getting
involved in a tiff with the Castro regime after it was caught
receiving dissident materials from Miami. These actions
probably factored into Cuba's decision to pull the Ambassador
back as a sign of its displeasure. One thing is certain,
though: the Cuban government is certainly refraining from a
"charm offensive" in advance of the June reevaluation of the
EU's "engagement" strategy with the Castro regime. The
Slovaks, already skeptical of the carrot, may represent a
voice for the stick during EU discussions.
VALLEE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM CU LO
SUBJECT: CUBA PULLS AMBASSADOR TO SLOVAKIA, MAY DOWNGRADE
RELATIONS
REF: 05 BRATISLAVA 922
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Slovak MFA Director for the Americas Dusan Kristofik
told us May 4 that the Cuban Ambassador to the Slovak
Republic had departed recently "without saying goodbye," and
that the GOS did not receive any farewell calls. In fact,
Kristofik told us that the MFA found out of the Ambassador's
departure two weeks after the fact, when they received a
diplomatic note from the Cuban Embassy's Charge d'Affaires.
Kristofik tells us that he is unsure as to whether the Cubans
will downgrade the head of mission to the Charge level, but
they have heard nothing from Havana about a replacement for
the departed Ambassador.
2. (C) COMMENT: Slovakia's Embassy in Cuba has been
keeping busy on the island, visiting dissidents and getting
involved in a tiff with the Castro regime after it was caught
receiving dissident materials from Miami. These actions
probably factored into Cuba's decision to pull the Ambassador
back as a sign of its displeasure. One thing is certain,
though: the Cuban government is certainly refraining from a
"charm offensive" in advance of the June reevaluation of the
EU's "engagement" strategy with the Castro regime. The
Slovaks, already skeptical of the carrot, may represent a
voice for the stick during EU discussions.
VALLEE