Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME2990
2006-10-30 13:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY: ON CUBA, DAS MADISON ENCOURAGES ITALY TO
how-toVZCZCXRO4003 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #2990/01 3031324 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301324Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6401 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0510 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0750 RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA PRIORITY 0320 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 0508 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 1850 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 7826 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 1975 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0022 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0657
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 002990
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC CU VZ GT IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: ON CUBA, DAS MADISON ENCOURAGES ITALY TO
PLAY A ROLE
ROME 00002990 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan R. Cohen fo
r reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 002990
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC CU VZ GT IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: ON CUBA, DAS MADISON ENCOURAGES ITALY TO
PLAY A ROLE
ROME 00002990 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan R. Cohen fo
r reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. WHA DAS Madison met with Italian officials
October 23 to discuss the Cuba transition. Madison shared
U.S. views and plans in light of the changing situation in
Cuba. Stressing the fact that only the Cuban people could
bring about change, she requested Italian help to open
political and economic space on the island and
internationally that could provide a context in which
democratic change could take place. MFA U/S Di Santo agreed
to use his personal relationships with key figures in Latin
America to urge them to take a leadership role on Cuba. On
development assistance, MFA DG Economides noted that Italy
could provide aid bilaterally and through the EU, once there
is a political green light. Madison requested Italian
support for Guatemala on the UNSC. Di Santo said Italy was
working with contacts in Latin America to encourage an
alternative candidate in the Guatemala-Venezuela race. End
Summary.
2. (U) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere
Affairs Kirsten Madison October 23 met with Italian MFA Under
Secretary for Latin America Donato Di Santo, Deputy Director
SIPDIS
General for the Americas Roberto Spinelli and, separately,
with Director General for Development Cooperation Alain
Economides to discuss the Cuba transition.
--------------
GOI Evaluating Cuba Approach
--------------
3. (C) As Cuba moved from a dictatorship headed by a single
revolutionary leader to some form of powersharing, Madison
noted this was a time when the international community should
consider how it could support a process of change in Cuba.
Stressing that only the Cuban people could lead the process
of change, Madison highlighted the importance of working to
help Cubans connect with each other and opening a space to
facilitate change, including by expressing solidarity with
the Cuban people and raising activists' profiles. The United
States, Madison said, had increased direct assistance to
democracy activists and information programs.
4. (C) Welcoming Madison's visit as an important first
exchange of views, Di Santo noted that he was requesting a
meeting with Assistant Secretary Shannon at the beginning of
December in order to begin a dialogue on Latin America and,
above all, Cuba. Since the current Italian government had
only been in power since the summer, Di Santo explained that
they were still evaluating their foreign policy. He expected
the review process would be completed soon and that he would
be able to have a productive conversation with Shannon.
5. (C) In order to provide a personal context for his
thoughts on Cuba, Di Santo detailed his several visits to
Cuba, where he had been subject to an expulsion order on his
final trip, and was sure he would not be issued another visa
by the GOC. Personal experience aside, however, he explained
that the GOI position on Cuba was fully in line with the EU
common policy. Italy wanted to play a positive role in the
transition, Di Santo said, and not a neutral one. He
highlighted as extremely important Madison's comment that
only the Cuban people can decide their future, noting that it
takes the wind out of the sails of those who talk about
interference.
6. (C) Madison said that Cuban nationalism would be a very
important factor in the transition, and would have to be
recognized and understood by the international community.
While discussions on Cuba usually framed human rights issues
in terms of political rights, Madison suggested that it might
be useful to bring economic rights into the conversation.
The economic relationship of the Cuban citizen to the state
was a fundamental element of GOC control, she said. As the
Sullivan Principles had been instrumental in using economic
engagement to create pressure for change in South Africa,
Madison expressed hope that countries that are economically
engaged on the island would look for ways to use that
engagement to create pressure for more economic rights. She
noted that there was a document, the Arcos Principles, which
ROME 00002990 002.2 OF 003
was drafted by Cuban democratic activists and focuses on
economic rights, that might be useful in framing an approach.
7. (C) Di Santo responded that Italy's position was the EU
position, and that he would discuss our ideas with EU
colleagues after meeting with Shannon. While acknowledging
that the GOC fears and limits private activity on the island,
Di Santo noted that he personally believed the U.S. embargo
provided the GOC with an excuse for every problem. He asked
Madison if the United States could look at the policy.
8. (C) In the absence of change on the island, Madison
responded, a change in the embargo would reinforce the
current situation rather than helping to bring about change.
However, she stressed, the U.S. did not need to wait until
Cuba had an established democratic government to engage: U.S.
policy and law allowed for action as soon as the President
believed he could certify to Congress that substantive
progress on a transition had been made. Madison explained
that the United States was planning concretely to provide
humanitarian assistance, support the electoral process, and
to work with the Cuban military, to the extent that
institution refrains from human rights abuses. Our policy,
she noted, was defined by the concrete signs of change. Di
Santo said he would consider our views on the Cuba
transition, and take the issue to the EU.
9. (C) Madison asked Di Santo, with his extensive personal
contacts in Latin America, to urge key figures in the region
to think about their role on this important issue, noting
that we believe Brazil and Mexico are key countries. Di
Santo said he was in complete agreement with this request,
and that he would increase GOI activity in support of Latin
American leadership on Cuba.
--------------
UNSC GRULAC Vote Abstention
--------------
10. (C) Noting our surprise at the GOI abstention on the UNSC
Latin America Group (GRULAC) vote, Madison argued that a
Venezuela seat could make work particularly difficult on the
Council, and Venezuela lacked the votes to win. She urged
Italy to vote for Guatemala, a country that could play a
constructive role. Di Santo responded that, as FM D'Alema
had stated, the GOI's position was based on Italy's
interest--specifically the Italian community of approximately
1 million people in Venezuela, roughly 100,000 of whom hold
an Italian passport. Acknowledging that the Italo-Venezuelan
community was, for the most part, wealthy and anti-Chavez, Di
Santo stressed that they were also affected by the GOV and
were targets for kidnappings. He asked us to view Italy's
abstention as potentially helpful to finding an alternative
solution that did not include Venezuela or Guatemala. Di
Santo said that he had spoken, on behalf of D'Alema, with
various FMs and DFMs in Latin America to encourage such a
solution.
-------------- --------------
Italy Can Provide Aid to Cuba When the Time Comes
-------------- --------------
11. (C) Speaking on development assistance, Madison explained
to Economides that the United States was looking at
possibilities for the international community to support the
process of change in Cuba in more than a rhetorical way.
Noting U.S. aid to the Cuban populace, she expressed hope
that others would be willing to provide humanitarian and
electoral assistance to support a process of transition.
Economides said that at the moment Cuba was very low on the
GOI's list of priorities for aid, and that a few years ago
Italian NGOs had been thrown out of Cuba. However, he said
Italy could offer humanitarian and capacity building
assistance if there was a transition.
12. (C) At Economides' request, Madison explained that we
work through NGOs from the United States and third countries
to organize conferences, and provide wireless internet and
library assistance, helping Cubans connect with each other.
Economides explained that development assistance from Italy
ROME 00002990 003.2 OF 003
would only come when his office was given the political
go-ahead, but that Italy would be willing to work both
bilaterally and through the EU on aid to Cuba, and could
provide food aid, reconstruction, and other types of
assistance.
13. (U) This message was cleared by DAS Madison.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC CU VZ GT IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: ON CUBA, DAS MADISON ENCOURAGES ITALY TO
PLAY A ROLE
ROME 00002990 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Jonathan R. Cohen fo
r reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. WHA DAS Madison met with Italian officials
October 23 to discuss the Cuba transition. Madison shared
U.S. views and plans in light of the changing situation in
Cuba. Stressing the fact that only the Cuban people could
bring about change, she requested Italian help to open
political and economic space on the island and
internationally that could provide a context in which
democratic change could take place. MFA U/S Di Santo agreed
to use his personal relationships with key figures in Latin
America to urge them to take a leadership role on Cuba. On
development assistance, MFA DG Economides noted that Italy
could provide aid bilaterally and through the EU, once there
is a political green light. Madison requested Italian
support for Guatemala on the UNSC. Di Santo said Italy was
working with contacts in Latin America to encourage an
alternative candidate in the Guatemala-Venezuela race. End
Summary.
2. (U) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere
Affairs Kirsten Madison October 23 met with Italian MFA Under
Secretary for Latin America Donato Di Santo, Deputy Director
SIPDIS
General for the Americas Roberto Spinelli and, separately,
with Director General for Development Cooperation Alain
Economides to discuss the Cuba transition.
--------------
GOI Evaluating Cuba Approach
--------------
3. (C) As Cuba moved from a dictatorship headed by a single
revolutionary leader to some form of powersharing, Madison
noted this was a time when the international community should
consider how it could support a process of change in Cuba.
Stressing that only the Cuban people could lead the process
of change, Madison highlighted the importance of working to
help Cubans connect with each other and opening a space to
facilitate change, including by expressing solidarity with
the Cuban people and raising activists' profiles. The United
States, Madison said, had increased direct assistance to
democracy activists and information programs.
4. (C) Welcoming Madison's visit as an important first
exchange of views, Di Santo noted that he was requesting a
meeting with Assistant Secretary Shannon at the beginning of
December in order to begin a dialogue on Latin America and,
above all, Cuba. Since the current Italian government had
only been in power since the summer, Di Santo explained that
they were still evaluating their foreign policy. He expected
the review process would be completed soon and that he would
be able to have a productive conversation with Shannon.
5. (C) In order to provide a personal context for his
thoughts on Cuba, Di Santo detailed his several visits to
Cuba, where he had been subject to an expulsion order on his
final trip, and was sure he would not be issued another visa
by the GOC. Personal experience aside, however, he explained
that the GOI position on Cuba was fully in line with the EU
common policy. Italy wanted to play a positive role in the
transition, Di Santo said, and not a neutral one. He
highlighted as extremely important Madison's comment that
only the Cuban people can decide their future, noting that it
takes the wind out of the sails of those who talk about
interference.
6. (C) Madison said that Cuban nationalism would be a very
important factor in the transition, and would have to be
recognized and understood by the international community.
While discussions on Cuba usually framed human rights issues
in terms of political rights, Madison suggested that it might
be useful to bring economic rights into the conversation.
The economic relationship of the Cuban citizen to the state
was a fundamental element of GOC control, she said. As the
Sullivan Principles had been instrumental in using economic
engagement to create pressure for change in South Africa,
Madison expressed hope that countries that are economically
engaged on the island would look for ways to use that
engagement to create pressure for more economic rights. She
noted that there was a document, the Arcos Principles, which
ROME 00002990 002.2 OF 003
was drafted by Cuban democratic activists and focuses on
economic rights, that might be useful in framing an approach.
7. (C) Di Santo responded that Italy's position was the EU
position, and that he would discuss our ideas with EU
colleagues after meeting with Shannon. While acknowledging
that the GOC fears and limits private activity on the island,
Di Santo noted that he personally believed the U.S. embargo
provided the GOC with an excuse for every problem. He asked
Madison if the United States could look at the policy.
8. (C) In the absence of change on the island, Madison
responded, a change in the embargo would reinforce the
current situation rather than helping to bring about change.
However, she stressed, the U.S. did not need to wait until
Cuba had an established democratic government to engage: U.S.
policy and law allowed for action as soon as the President
believed he could certify to Congress that substantive
progress on a transition had been made. Madison explained
that the United States was planning concretely to provide
humanitarian assistance, support the electoral process, and
to work with the Cuban military, to the extent that
institution refrains from human rights abuses. Our policy,
she noted, was defined by the concrete signs of change. Di
Santo said he would consider our views on the Cuba
transition, and take the issue to the EU.
9. (C) Madison asked Di Santo, with his extensive personal
contacts in Latin America, to urge key figures in the region
to think about their role on this important issue, noting
that we believe Brazil and Mexico are key countries. Di
Santo said he was in complete agreement with this request,
and that he would increase GOI activity in support of Latin
American leadership on Cuba.
--------------
UNSC GRULAC Vote Abstention
--------------
10. (C) Noting our surprise at the GOI abstention on the UNSC
Latin America Group (GRULAC) vote, Madison argued that a
Venezuela seat could make work particularly difficult on the
Council, and Venezuela lacked the votes to win. She urged
Italy to vote for Guatemala, a country that could play a
constructive role. Di Santo responded that, as FM D'Alema
had stated, the GOI's position was based on Italy's
interest--specifically the Italian community of approximately
1 million people in Venezuela, roughly 100,000 of whom hold
an Italian passport. Acknowledging that the Italo-Venezuelan
community was, for the most part, wealthy and anti-Chavez, Di
Santo stressed that they were also affected by the GOV and
were targets for kidnappings. He asked us to view Italy's
abstention as potentially helpful to finding an alternative
solution that did not include Venezuela or Guatemala. Di
Santo said that he had spoken, on behalf of D'Alema, with
various FMs and DFMs in Latin America to encourage such a
solution.
-------------- --------------
Italy Can Provide Aid to Cuba When the Time Comes
-------------- --------------
11. (C) Speaking on development assistance, Madison explained
to Economides that the United States was looking at
possibilities for the international community to support the
process of change in Cuba in more than a rhetorical way.
Noting U.S. aid to the Cuban populace, she expressed hope
that others would be willing to provide humanitarian and
electoral assistance to support a process of transition.
Economides said that at the moment Cuba was very low on the
GOI's list of priorities for aid, and that a few years ago
Italian NGOs had been thrown out of Cuba. However, he said
Italy could offer humanitarian and capacity building
assistance if there was a transition.
12. (C) At Economides' request, Madison explained that we
work through NGOs from the United States and third countries
to organize conferences, and provide wireless internet and
library assistance, helping Cubans connect with each other.
Economides explained that development assistance from Italy
ROME 00002990 003.2 OF 003
would only come when his office was given the political
go-ahead, but that Italy would be willing to work both
bilaterally and through the EU on aid to Cuba, and could
provide food aid, reconstruction, and other types of
assistance.
13. (U) This message was cleared by DAS Madison.
SPOGLI