Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE143
2006-02-10 16:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CUBA STRIKES BACK: CZECH NGO DENIED ECOSOC
how-toVZCZCXRO3034 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #0143 0411649 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 101649Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6930 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0044 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0091
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000143
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NCE/EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2016
TAGS: PREL UN CU EZ
SUBJECT: CUBA STRIKES BACK: CZECH NGO DENIED ECOSOC
CONSULTATIVE STATUS
Classified By: A/DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000143
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NCE/EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2016
TAGS: PREL UN CU EZ
SUBJECT: CUBA STRIKES BACK: CZECH NGO DENIED ECOSOC
CONSULTATIVE STATUS
Classified By: A/DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d.
1. (C) Summary. Czech NGO People in Need (PIN) was recently
denied ECOSOC consultative status because of strong Cuban
opposition. According to a PIN representative, the denial
will have no impact on PIN democracy promotion activities in
Cuba or elsewhere. End summary.
2. (SBU) Poloff met Ivana Grollova, from the Czech MFA's UN
Department, February 7 to discuss the role Cuba played in the
January 24, 2006 denial of ECOSOC consultative status to PIN.
Poloff also discussed the matter with PIN representative
Meghan King February 6.
3. (C) The ECOSOC's Committee on NGOs voted in favor of a
Cuban proposal to reject PIN's application for consultative
status. According to press reports, the Cuban Ambassador to
the UN Rodrigo Malmierca called the denial, "An important
victory for our people." The ECOSOC official announcement of
the decision states the Cuban proposal accused PIN of being a
"front for the Czech government" that is used to "destabilize
and promote changes in regimes in different countries,"
including Cuba. The Cuban proposal also linked PIN to the
USG, via alleged funding from the State Department and USAID.
Grollova explained the allegations linking PIN to the GOCR
were based on the fact that Czech MFA Deputy FM Tomas Pojar
previously served as PIN's Executive Director. Grollova added
that the Cubans also accused PIN of "supporting terrorists"
in Cuba.
5. (C) Grollova said there were a few surprises among the
Committee's votes: namely, Chile and Turkey abstained.
Grollova said these countries have supported PIN in the past.
Reliable supporters were France, Germany, Romania, and the
U.S. The Czech Republic attended as an observer, and spoke in
support of PIN.
6. (C) PIN Representative Meghan King said PIN was not
surprised or distressed by the denial of ECOSOC consultative
status, which she claimed will have no impact on PIN's
democracy promotion or humanitarian activities.
7. (C) Grollova said the GOCR wished to thank the U.S.
delegation for its efforts to defend PIN's application, even
when it seemed certain to be denied.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NCE/EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2016
TAGS: PREL UN CU EZ
SUBJECT: CUBA STRIKES BACK: CZECH NGO DENIED ECOSOC
CONSULTATIVE STATUS
Classified By: A/DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d.
1. (C) Summary. Czech NGO People in Need (PIN) was recently
denied ECOSOC consultative status because of strong Cuban
opposition. According to a PIN representative, the denial
will have no impact on PIN democracy promotion activities in
Cuba or elsewhere. End summary.
2. (SBU) Poloff met Ivana Grollova, from the Czech MFA's UN
Department, February 7 to discuss the role Cuba played in the
January 24, 2006 denial of ECOSOC consultative status to PIN.
Poloff also discussed the matter with PIN representative
Meghan King February 6.
3. (C) The ECOSOC's Committee on NGOs voted in favor of a
Cuban proposal to reject PIN's application for consultative
status. According to press reports, the Cuban Ambassador to
the UN Rodrigo Malmierca called the denial, "An important
victory for our people." The ECOSOC official announcement of
the decision states the Cuban proposal accused PIN of being a
"front for the Czech government" that is used to "destabilize
and promote changes in regimes in different countries,"
including Cuba. The Cuban proposal also linked PIN to the
USG, via alleged funding from the State Department and USAID.
Grollova explained the allegations linking PIN to the GOCR
were based on the fact that Czech MFA Deputy FM Tomas Pojar
previously served as PIN's Executive Director. Grollova added
that the Cubans also accused PIN of "supporting terrorists"
in Cuba.
5. (C) Grollova said there were a few surprises among the
Committee's votes: namely, Chile and Turkey abstained.
Grollova said these countries have supported PIN in the past.
Reliable supporters were France, Germany, Romania, and the
U.S. The Czech Republic attended as an observer, and spoke in
support of PIN.
6. (C) PIN Representative Meghan King said PIN was not
surprised or distressed by the denial of ECOSOC consultative
status, which she claimed will have no impact on PIN's
democracy promotion or humanitarian activities.
7. (C) Grollova said the GOCR wished to thank the U.S.
delegation for its efforts to defend PIN's application, even
when it seemed certain to be denied.
CABANISS