CZECH REPUBLIC REVIEW FOR WAIVER OF TITLE III OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001488 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE ERIC FICHTE, WHA/CCA, EB/ESC E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL EZ SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC REVIEW FOR WAIVER OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT REF: STATE 191752 Classified By: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COUNSELOR MICHAEL DODMAN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)(D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The USG applauds the Czech Republic for its strong support of democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in Cuba. The Czechs do not recognize the transfer of power to Raul Castro, and continue to advocate for a tougher EU common position on the Castro regime that emphasizes human rights. Czech NGO People in Need (PIN),funded in part by the Czech MFA, is one of the few in-country promoters of democracy and human rights. Prominent Czech government officials and private citizens continue to visit Cuba and receive Cuban dissidents in Prague to focus the world's attention on the abuses of the Castro regime. As a result of the Czech opposition to the Castro regime, there are only marginal financial ties between the two countries, although there has been a recent spike in the trade volume with Cuba. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) The Czech Republic is active in advocating for freedom and human rights in Cuba since its own transition from a totalitarian regime in 1989. Former Czech President Vaclav Havel, an internationally recognized human rights activist, and other members of the Czech leadership have assisted exiled dissidents and political prisoners jailed in Cuba during the severe crackdown on dissidents in 2003. The GOCR condemned the crackdown, issuing an official statement calling on the Government of Cuba to honor its international human rights commitments and obligations. Former FM Cyril Svoboda instituted a policy requesting all diplomats to raise the Cuba issue at international meetings. In addition, Czech President Vaclav Klaus and the Czech Parliament issued public statements in support of Cuban dissidents and condemning the situation in Cuba. ¶3. (U) In July 2003, then Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla traveled to Florida to meet with representatives of Cuban dissidents, all of whom were political prisoners. In May 2004, eight Cuban dissidents traveled to Prague to meet with Czech parliamentarians and President Havel. ¶4. (SBU) Currently, the Czechs are advocating for a tougher EU common position that, among other things, would recognize political dissidents and provide sanctions for 
senior officials of the Castro regime. Among EU countries, the Czech Republic is one of the strongest supporters of the policy of inviting Cuban dissidents to National Day festivities. The Czechs provide training and support to Cuban civil society through the efforts of People in Need (PIN),the MFA's main NGO partner. Czech government officials continue to travel to Cuba to meet with dissident leaders and to place pressure on the Castro regime. In April 2006, the Cuban regime expelled Czech diplomat Stanislav Kazecky in retaliation for his activities in support of the dissident movement. These activities highlight the committed engagement of the Czechs on the issue of Cuban human rights. ¶5. (U) In recognition of this commitment, State Department's Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry traveled to Prague in October 2005 to meet with Czechs actively working to promote democracy in Cuba, including GOCR officials, former dissidents, and PIN. -------------- NO SUBSTANTIVE CZECH INVESTMENT OR TRADE -------------- ¶6. (U) The Czech Republic does not have any foreign investments in Cuba. As an EU member state, the GOCR does not have any bilateral trade agreements, including with Cuba. There are, however, no trade restrictions on private companies that want to do business there. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade Department (MPO),private trade between the two nations is on the rise. MPO U.S. Desk Officer Vaclav Maly reported that trade with Cuba went from USD 4 million in 2002 to USD 25 million for the first nine months of 2006. While a sharp increase, the 2006 number is still comparatively small, as Cuba is the Czech Republic's 97th largest trading partner. There are no student exchange programs. -------------- IMPORTANCE OF TITLE III WAIVER PRAGUE 00001488 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶7. (C) COMMENT: A waiver of the right to bring an action against entities and nationals of the Czech Republic is necessary to U.S. national interests. Loss of this waiver would jeopardize our partnership with a country that has been at the forefront of efforts to force the Castro regime to adhere to international standards of human rights. From supporting the annual UN resolution on human rights in Cuba to engaging in high-level diplomatic efforts with Cuban dissidents, the Czech Republic's profile on this issue is one of the strongest in Europe. This cooperation would definitely be impacted negatively if the GOCR were to lose the Title III waiver and feel that it is being "punished," when in fact it has been one of our best partners on Cuba. GRABER