Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1812
2007-10-31 10:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
DEMARCHE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAD #1812 3041057 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 311057Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9955 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0155
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001812
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PHUM AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION
AT THE UNGA
REF: SECSTATE 148506
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001812
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PHUM AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION
AT THE UNGA
REF: SECSTATE 148506
1. (SBU) Econchief delivered reftel demarche to MFA
International Affairs Director Yacoub Al-Hosani on October
28, the first day Al-Hosani was available to meet. Econchief
highlighted the human rights situation in Cuba and urged the
UAE to vote against or abstain on the UNGA resolution.
Al-Hosani asked what the results were on the 2006 resolution.
After Econchief explained that the resolution passed by a
vote of 183 to 4, Al-Hosani stated that he did not believe
the UAE would change its vote. He added "don't push us" to
oppose an overwhelming international consensus, adding "it's
not logical."
2. (SBU) Econchief countered that the human rights situation
in Cuba is deplorable and that the suffering of the Cuban
people is due to the policies of the Cuban government rather
than the embargo, noting the U.S. has approved waivers for
food and medicine and is Cuba's fourth largest exporter.
Al-Hosani, while agreeing about the Cuban government's
deficiencies, questioned whether the embargo had accomplished
its purpose and argued that "engagement" might be a more
productive way to change Cuban policy. He commented: "People
like America, but not all your policies."
SISON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PHUM AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION
AT THE UNGA
REF: SECSTATE 148506
1. (SBU) Econchief delivered reftel demarche to MFA
International Affairs Director Yacoub Al-Hosani on October
28, the first day Al-Hosani was available to meet. Econchief
highlighted the human rights situation in Cuba and urged the
UAE to vote against or abstain on the UNGA resolution.
Al-Hosani asked what the results were on the 2006 resolution.
After Econchief explained that the resolution passed by a
vote of 183 to 4, Al-Hosani stated that he did not believe
the UAE would change its vote. He added "don't push us" to
oppose an overwhelming international consensus, adding "it's
not logical."
2. (SBU) Econchief countered that the human rights situation
in Cuba is deplorable and that the suffering of the Cuban
people is due to the policies of the Cuban government rather
than the embargo, noting the U.S. has approved waivers for
food and medicine and is Cuba's fourth largest exporter.
Al-Hosani, while agreeing about the Cuban government's
deficiencies, questioned whether the embargo had accomplished
its purpose and argued that "engagement" might be a more
productive way to change Cuban policy. He commented: "People
like America, but not all your policies."
SISON