Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS1401
2007-04-26 13:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM'S SUPPORT CONTINUED PRESSURE ON CUBA,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #1401 1161311 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261311Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5213 INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1525 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0585 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 7041 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0010
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001401
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/FO (C. MCCARRY)
BERLIN AND WARSAW PLEASE PASS TO C. MCCARRY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2012
TAGS: PREL CU BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM'S SUPPORT CONTINUED PRESSURE ON CUBA,
SKEPTICAL ABOUT HELMS-BURTON
REF: STATE 53623
Classified By: POLCOUNS THEODORE H. ANDREWS; reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001401
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/FO (C. MCCARRY)
BERLIN AND WARSAW PLEASE PASS TO C. MCCARRY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2012
TAGS: PREL CU BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM'S SUPPORT CONTINUED PRESSURE ON CUBA,
SKEPTICAL ABOUT HELMS-BURTON
REF: STATE 53623
Classified By: POLCOUNS THEODORE H. ANDREWS; reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) On April 23, polcouns and poloff discussed reftel
with Ambassador VanDessel, Director for Latin AMERICA and the
Caribbean in the Belgian MFA. Jean-Luc Bodson, Deputy Chief
of Staff to the Foreign Minister, was present also.
Ambassador VanDessel noted he was looking forward to his
planned May 2 meeting to discuss Cuba with Caleb McCarry and
DAS Madison, adding that Belgium agrees with the U.S. on the
need to promote democratic reform and human rights. He
explained further that while Cuba was obviously a primary
concern for the US government given its proximity to the
United States, the GOB understood USG concerns on the matter.
2. (SBU) The Belgian side also concurred that USG-sponsored
outreach programs to Cuban civil society will contribute over
the long-term to the development of a democratic Cuba. He
declined to be drawn out on whether the GOB would follow suit
with similar programs.
3. (C) In contrast, the Belgian side expressed a guardedly
negative opinion on Helms-Burton. They specifically
questioned its utility in transforming Cuban behavior. They
believed that a more positive strategy of engagement would
achieve more. In response to this, emboffs argued that the
effects produced by the act are the best way to maintain
pressure on the current and future regime to bring about
changes in their policies on human rights and democracy.
4. (C) Regarding the GOB stance on the EU's Common Position
on Cuba, he said that it would probably not be discussed by
the EU until the fall. The GOB was almost entirely in line
with the US stance and policies on Cuba. The Belgians
thought the upcoming discussion would not change much from
the last Common Position.
5. (C) In discussing the recent Moratino's visit, Ambassador
VanDessel said Belgium's Foreign Minister had specifically
cautioned against the trip. Responding to a query, they
assured us there were no plans for any trips to Cuba by
Belgian officials.
FOX
.
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/FO (C. MCCARRY)
BERLIN AND WARSAW PLEASE PASS TO C. MCCARRY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2012
TAGS: PREL CU BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM'S SUPPORT CONTINUED PRESSURE ON CUBA,
SKEPTICAL ABOUT HELMS-BURTON
REF: STATE 53623
Classified By: POLCOUNS THEODORE H. ANDREWS; reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) On April 23, polcouns and poloff discussed reftel
with Ambassador VanDessel, Director for Latin AMERICA and the
Caribbean in the Belgian MFA. Jean-Luc Bodson, Deputy Chief
of Staff to the Foreign Minister, was present also.
Ambassador VanDessel noted he was looking forward to his
planned May 2 meeting to discuss Cuba with Caleb McCarry and
DAS Madison, adding that Belgium agrees with the U.S. on the
need to promote democratic reform and human rights. He
explained further that while Cuba was obviously a primary
concern for the US government given its proximity to the
United States, the GOB understood USG concerns on the matter.
2. (SBU) The Belgian side also concurred that USG-sponsored
outreach programs to Cuban civil society will contribute over
the long-term to the development of a democratic Cuba. He
declined to be drawn out on whether the GOB would follow suit
with similar programs.
3. (C) In contrast, the Belgian side expressed a guardedly
negative opinion on Helms-Burton. They specifically
questioned its utility in transforming Cuban behavior. They
believed that a more positive strategy of engagement would
achieve more. In response to this, emboffs argued that the
effects produced by the act are the best way to maintain
pressure on the current and future regime to bring about
changes in their policies on human rights and democracy.
4. (C) Regarding the GOB stance on the EU's Common Position
on Cuba, he said that it would probably not be discussed by
the EU until the fall. The GOB was almost entirely in line
with the US stance and policies on Cuba. The Belgians
thought the upcoming discussion would not change much from
the last Common Position.
5. (C) In discussing the recent Moratino's visit, Ambassador
VanDessel said Belgium's Foreign Minister had specifically
cautioned against the trip. Responding to a query, they
assured us there were no plans for any trips to Cuba by
Belgian officials.
FOX
.