Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE894
2006-08-03 09:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECHS DO NOT RECOGNIZE RAUL CASTRO AS A
how-toVZCZCXRO9045 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #0894 2150903 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 030903Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7734 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0013 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0065
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000894
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL VT XM XS CU EU JA EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS DO NOT RECOGNIZE RAUL CASTRO AS A
LEGITIMATE SUCCESSOR
REF: STATE 125684
Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor
Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000894
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL VT XM XS CU EU JA EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS DO NOT RECOGNIZE RAUL CASTRO AS A
LEGITIMATE SUCCESSOR
REF: STATE 125684
Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor
Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with Czech MFA Director of the Americas
Department Jakub Skalnik on August 2 to discuss Czech views
on Fidel Castro's temporary transfer of power to Raul Castro.
Skalnik said the Czechs share the U.S. view that only a
democratically elected leader would be the legitimate
successor of Castro. Hence, the Czechs do not recognize Raul
Castro as his brother's successor.
2. (C/NF) Skalnik said not all EU member states share this
view. He explained that the EU conducted working level
meetings in early July to discuss possible mid- and long-term
strategies for promoting democracy in Cuba. The Czechs
supported only those scenarios that would lead to the
establishment of a pluralistic democracy, and the development
of a society that supports human rights. However, according
to Skalnik, many EU members think the most likely post-Castro
scenario will be a succession of power to Raul Castro or some
other regime insider. To those EU members, a "successful
succession" would be a peaceful transfer of power to such a
hand-picked leader.
3. (C/NF) Skalnik did not say which EU members would accept
Raul Castro as a legitimate successor, but he did express
dismay that Belgium (and less surprisingly, Spain) had
planned to congratulate Castro on his August 13 birthday.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL VT XM XS CU EU JA EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS DO NOT RECOGNIZE RAUL CASTRO AS A
LEGITIMATE SUCCESSOR
REF: STATE 125684
Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor
Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with Czech MFA Director of the Americas
Department Jakub Skalnik on August 2 to discuss Czech views
on Fidel Castro's temporary transfer of power to Raul Castro.
Skalnik said the Czechs share the U.S. view that only a
democratically elected leader would be the legitimate
successor of Castro. Hence, the Czechs do not recognize Raul
Castro as his brother's successor.
2. (C/NF) Skalnik said not all EU member states share this
view. He explained that the EU conducted working level
meetings in early July to discuss possible mid- and long-term
strategies for promoting democracy in Cuba. The Czechs
supported only those scenarios that would lead to the
establishment of a pluralistic democracy, and the development
of a society that supports human rights. However, according
to Skalnik, many EU members think the most likely post-Castro
scenario will be a succession of power to Raul Castro or some
other regime insider. To those EU members, a "successful
succession" would be a peaceful transfer of power to such a
hand-picked leader.
3. (C/NF) Skalnik did not say which EU members would accept
Raul Castro as a legitimate successor, but he did express
dismay that Belgium (and less surprisingly, Spain) had
planned to congratulate Castro on his August 13 birthday.
CABANISS