IMMEDIATE ACTION DEMARCHE ON AMENDING THE CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 002267 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2011 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA HU SUBJECT: IMMEDIATE ACTION DEMARCHE ON AMENDING THE CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION REF: A) SECSTATE 184156 B) GAUDIOSI-LABONTE E-MAIL OCTOBER 27 Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) We provided reftel points to the MFA Americas Department and International Organization Department November 7, highlighting the importance of expeditious consideration in follow-up contacts with the Ministry. ¶2. (C) Our contacts were not aware of the Australian amendment and welcomed news of our efforts to coordinate with EU capitals and with embassies in Washington. ¶3. (C) As the broad concerns re GoH activism on Cuba outlined by FM Goncz (ref b) remain in effect, we emphasized our request in the context of a united front consistent with previous EU positions and in keeping with GoH concerns re the human rights situation in Cuba. MFA officials indicated that Budapest will likely look to the EU's common position on this issue. FOLEY