SLOVAKIA INTERESTED IN DECEMBER 10 US-EU CUBA EVENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000600

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2012
TAGS: UNGA PHUM CU LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA INTERESTED IN DECEMBER 10 US-EU CUBA EVENT

REF: A. SECSTATE 147620


B. BRATISLAVA 595

Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel A demarche to Zdenek
Rozhold, MFA Director for Latin American Affairs and Miriam
Joklova, MFA Deputy Director of the Human Rights Department.
Each viewed the U.S. proposal as a constructive model for
U.S.-EU action that could be more effective than forcing a
vote at the UN. Jokolova, in particular, appeared relieved
that the U.S. was not going to introduce a Cuba resolution or
call for a vote on the HRC package at the upcoming UNGA,
which she viewed as a hopeless proposition.


2. (SBU) Rozhold wanted to know more about specific U.S.
ideas regarding any actions or events planned for December
10, since he believed Slovakia could be actively supportive
but wanted to know more about U.S. plans and the prospects
for a general EU consensus before making commitments. He
said that he hoped that the EU could agree to a joint U.S.-EU
December 10 plan, but expressed skepticism that such an
agreement could be reached by all member states, citing
concerns from not only Spain, but also Italy and Belgium.
While not making specific commitments, Rozhold emphasized
that Slovakia was a strong supporter of the basic U.S.
approach, adding that he was aware that Poland had taken a
firm position in favor of the U.S. proposal and that Slovakia
holds a similar view.


3. (C) Comment: Slovakia continues to support activities
casting the spotlight on human rights abuse in Cuba; in
October, MFA State Secretary Diana Strofova spoke at a NGO
event to raise funds for Cuban political prisoners. Slovakia
and Cuba have also been at odds recently over Cuba's lack of
proper protocol in detaining and deporting a Slovak election
observer during Cuba's recent elections (see reftel B). At
the same time, however, Slovakia hopes to strengthen
commercial relations with Cuba and Slovakia's Ministry of
Economy is in the process of finalizing an economic
cooperation agreement with Cuba (which Rozhold calls a
continuation of past agreements),to be signed in early 2008.
While Slovakia will support the strongest possible EU (and
joint U.S.-EU) position on Cuba, it is unlikely that Slovakia
will take a leading role in a December 10 event unless
several other EU states are also willing to visibly promote a
joint U.S.-EU position. End Comment.
VALLEE