CUBA TRANSITION COORDINATOR MCCARRY'S DISCUSSIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 001032 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD CU FI EUN SUBJECT: CUBA TRANSITION COORDINATOR MCCARRY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH FINNISH EU PRESIDENCY OFFICIALS Classified By: POLCHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry delivered well-received messages in Helsinki Sept. 29, emphasizing that change is imminent and that Europe and the United States have a historic opportunity to help foster a transition to democracy on the island. Finnish EU Presidency officials agreed that the world's democracies must send a message of hope to the Cuban people and that the impetus for change must come largely from the island. The GOF, for its part, supports a joint US-EU statement -- or at least parallel US and EU statements -- urging transition in Cuba, but cautions that finding consensus among member states will take time. End Summary. ¶2. (U) WHA Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry visited Helsinki Sept. 29 to discuss the work of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba (CAFC) and the Department's strategy for fostering democratic transition on the island with senior Finnish EU Presidency officials. He also held a very useful round of PD events, including on-the-record interviews with journalists and discussions at Helsinki University. ¶3. (SBU) In meetings with Finnish MFA Director-General for the Americas and Asia Elina Kalkku, Office Director for Human Rights Johanna Suurpaa and Office Director for Latin America Anne Lammila, McCarry emphasized that change has already begun in Cuba, and that now, for the first time in 47 years, the Cuban people have an opportunity to choose a path toward democracy and economic liberalization. The CAFC's approach is careful and well-planned, he said; the US wants to respectfully offer what encouragement it can now, while also preparing for the significant humanitarian and reconstruction needs that will emerge once a transition truly begins. McCarry urged the EU to recognize that it is incumbent on Europe, the US and all the world's democracies to send messages of hope and encouragement to those living on the island -- including even figures within the regime who may seek change. He also briefed the Finns on the encouraging talks the US has had with Spain, which to a greater extent has been leading EU efforts on Cuba, and asked for Finnish support in crafting either a joint US-EU statement on Cuba, or parallel statements. ¶4. (C) Finnish interlocutors welcomed the US approach on Cuba, agreeing with our message that the only hope for an improved human right situation on the island -- as well as economic development -- is through greater democracy. Kalkku described the current situation in Cuba, with Castro's illness, as "an opening." The EU must send a message of encouragement and hope to Cuban civil society, to individuals within the regime who seek change, and to the Cuban people, she said. All 25 EU member states agree on this approach, Kalkku continued; however, there is currently less agreement regarding the best way to proceed as well as the utility at this time of a joint US-EU statement. Several MS (and our GOF interlocutors included Finland among this group) agree that now is the time for a bold, joint effort to press for democratic change. Others, however, believe that economic change may be easier to implement first and do not favor a public EU position. (In particular, Latin America Director Lammila encouraged the US to keep pressing for a US-EU statement -- and not a US-Spain statement.) Although forging consensus among all 25 MS will now be a speedy process and did not offer timelines, the Finns emphasized their national position of support and promised to do what they could to promote agreement "at least" on issuing parallel US-EU statements. ¶5. (C) Comment: McCarry's messages on promoting transition in Cuba were well received by the Finns. As a small-country EU Presidency with limited Latin America resources (there is no Finnish Embassy in Havana),their task in helping the EU to step up with a more focused Cuba will be a tough one. Still, we can count on Finland to do what it can, and we will continue to support the Finnish Presidency's efforts. End Comment. HYATT