BAHAMAS REVIEW OF TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 001799 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN, WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2016 TAGS: ETTC ETRD PREL CU BF SUBJECT: BAHAMAS REVIEW OF TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT REF: STATE 191752 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Brent Hardt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Post recommends waiver of the provisions of Title III of the Libertad Act for The Bahamas. The Bahamas has a cordial relationship with Cuba, generally supports Cuba in international fora, and engages in both cultural and economic exchanges with Cuba, including promotion of Cuban trade. The Bahamian government justifies its relationship as a pragmatic policy needed to address bilateral migration issues, provide support to Bahamian travelers and address issues of common concern with a nation on their maritime border. The Bahamian government claims to advocate human rights and democracy concerns to Cuba privately, and did so publicly though indirectly at the Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Havana in September. The extremely close bilateral cooperation between The Bahamas and the U.S. in drug interdiction, alien interdiction, anti-terrorism and border security merits a waiver of the provisions of the Libertad Act. END SUMMARY. Bahamas-Cuba Diplomatic Relations -------------- ¶2. (C) The Governments of The Bahamas and Cuba maintain cordial relations. On July 17, The Bahamas officially opened an embassy in Cuba. The Bahamas justifies the need for an embassy by citing the need to provide consular services, to address bilateral migration issues, and to promote trade and travel. In the past, The Bahamas has noted the need for close relations to avoid the military misunderstanding in 1980 that led to Cuba's sinking of a Bahamian ship, killing several Bahamian sailors. The Government of Cuba maintains an embassy in Nassau. ¶3. (C) Illegal migration to The Bahamas from Haiti and Cuba is one of the country's biggest political issues. Illegal Cuban migrants interdicted in Bahamian waters are detained in Nassau, and the repatriation process is lengthy and expensive. There are sometimes international issues surrounding the presence of Cuban migrants in The Bahamas, and the GCOB sees a pragmatic need to maintain a cordial relationship with Cuba to manage repatriation and any concomitant international complications. ¶4. (C) As part of the embassy opening in July, Bahamian Foreign Minister Mitchell visited Cuba along with a delegation of parliamentarians and the Bahamian Social Services Minister. The Foreign Minister also visited Cuba again for the meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in September. There have been no known high-level Cuban visitors to The Bahamas in the past six months. Business and Cultural Exchanges -------------- ¶5. (C) Direct Bahamian investment in Cuba is expected to be minimal given The Bahamas' exchange controls, limited scope for international investment among Bahamian businesses and its economic dependence on the United States. Third country investment in Cuba via Bahamian financial institutions is very likely, but unknown. According to the GCOB, The Bahamas imported $1.6 million in Cuban goods in 2005, with limited to no exports. There are currently no bilateral trade agreements in force. ¶6. (C) There is a Havantur office in Nassau and Cuban de Aviacion offers direct flights to Havana from Nassau. According to the GCOB, approximately 20,000 Bahamians visit Cuba each year. There are approximately 150 Bahamian students studying in Cuba on scholarship, and in September, the Bahamas welcomed 14 Cuban teachers into the Bahamian school system as part of an educational exchange. Other Cuban teachers also work closely with the GCOB, particularly in the area of special education. Approximately 600 Bahamians received Cuban-paid health care in Cuba last year. An unknown number of Cuban doctors work in The Bahamas to provide thousands of Bahamians with health care. Last year Cuban doctors provided approximately 1,750 eye exams to Bahamians in The Bahamas. Bahamian Support for Human Rights -------------- ¶7. (C) The Bahamas has worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba, though more could be done. At the NAM summit in Havana in September, The Bahamas stood out for its strong statement in support of democracy and its argument for international action in response to human rights concerns. This statement, in the context of a meeting led by Cuba in Havana, supports Bahamian government claims that it privately raises human rights concerns in its meetings with Cuban government officials. However, The Bahamas typically votes as a block with CARICOM and the NAM in international fora, has opposed the U.S. embargo of Cuba, and generally abstains on U.S.-backed human rights resolutions. Recommendation for Waiver -------------- ¶8. (C) In light of the extremely close on-going bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and The Bahamas in drug interdiction, alien interdiction, anti-terrorism, and border security matters, Post believes The Bahamas should continue to be granted a waiver from implementation of Title III of the Libertad Act. HARDT