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.

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NO SUBSTANTIVE CZECH INVESTMENT OR TRADE
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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.


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IMPORTANCE OF TITLE III WAIVER

PRAGUE 00001488 002 OF 002


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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