IN WAKE OF GAO REPORT, DISSIDENTS ISSUE STATEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 023547 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE DEPT FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016 TAGS: PHUM KDEM SOCI CU SUBJECT: IN WAKE OF GAO REPORT, DISSIDENTS ISSUE STATEMENT Classified By: COM Michael Parmly for Reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (C) As debate swirls within Cuba's human rights community over a GAO report that questions oversight and spending for Cuban democracy programs, four leading activists have signed a statement that they say is aimed at expressing support for certain exile groups, including the Support Group for Democracy. The "declaration," released November 25, was signed by Martha Beatriz Roque of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society; Vladimiro Roca of All United; Elizardo Sanchez of the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation; and Gisela Delgado Sablon of the Independent Library Project. At least one press report plays up the declaration's penultimate paragraph. It states (unofficial translation): "We consider it very important to achieve greater efficiency in the use of these funds. We believe that one way to achieve this would be the elimination of a series of existing restrictions on the sending of assistance and trips to Cuba, which do nothing to help the democratic struggle." ¶2. (C) Roque told us on November 28 that the declaration was signed at the home of an unidentified Havana-based diplomat and drafted at the initiative of All United, after a number of dissidents, including Manuel Cuesta Morua of the Social Democratic Current, indicated that they did not want any such support. Roque acknowledged that many Cuban exiles are upset with her signing the declaration; she has long opposed the relaxation of travel restrictions. Roque noted, however, that the declaration does not call for the scrapping of the trade embargo or even all of the travel restrictions, but merely "a series" of restrictions. She did not elaborate. ¶3. (C) Roca told us November 28 that the declaration was intended partly as a response to "press manipulation in Miami." He said it was misleading for journalists to review the lengthy GAO report and then focus on a single, controversial paragraph. "The crab and chocolate is not the point," he said. "Mentioning these items in describing the assistance to the opposition only serves the Cuban Government's interests." Roca added that all unconditional help from the United States is legitimate and beneficial. ¶4. (C) The Ladies in White - relatives of political prisoners - are in disarray over how to respond to the GAO report. Miriam Leiva told us November 28 that at the group's monthly gathering on November 18, she was "lynched" by other key members over a Ladies declaration she drafted, with what she believed to be the group's consent, in support of certain Miami-based groups. The declaration partly states (unofficial translation): "We Ladies in White are grateful for the medicine, clothes and food that our Cuban brothers in the exile community and friends from various countries have sent our prisoners and family members, through various groups, including the Support Group for Democracy and Cuban Democratic Action." COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) With an article headlined, "Cuban Dissidents Ask U.S. to Lift Travel, Aid Limits," the Miami Herald has missed the mark. Not only does the article fail to capture the essence of the declaration - a show of dissident support for activist exile groups - it fails to articulate what type of restriction relaxations the signatories are seeking. This is hardly surprising, because the declaration is vague on these points. PARMLY