ACTION REQUEST: CUBA:COUNTRY REVIEW FOR TITLE III

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000839

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: CUBA:COUNTRY REVIEW FOR TITLE III
SUSPENSION OF LIBERTAD ACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 65523

B. 06 ABU DHABI 4411

Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).


1. (C) UAE maintains diplomatic relations with Cuba. The
Cuban Embassy in Cairo is accredited to the UAE, and the UAE
Embassy in Cairo handles diplomatic communications.
According to the UAE MFA's senior Americas, Desk Officer
Rowda Al-Otaiba, the Deputy Director of the Department of
Middle East Affairs for the Cuban MFA and the Cuban
Ambassador should be visiting the UAE in the near future.


2. (C) Embassy responses to ref A follow. Please see ref B
for further information.

What is the nature of UAE investment in Cuba?

-- Post has been unable to find evidence of any UAE
investments in Cuba to date.

Are there bilateral trade agreements between the UAE and Cuba?

-- There are no bilateral trade agreements to date.

Are there any exchange programs?

-- We have been unable to identify any existing exchange
programs.

Has the UAE worked to promote the advancement of human rights
and democracy in Cuba?

-- There is no evidence to date of UAE actions to promote
human rights or democracy in Cuba.

Have there been any high level diplomatic visits between Cuba
and the UAE in the last six months?

-- We are not aware of any high level diplomatic visits. The
UAE MFA has informed us of the upcoming visit of Cuban
officials referred to in Para 1.
SISON