CUBA TRANSITION COORDINATOR'S CONSULTATIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000419

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV ECON CU EUN DA
SUBJECT: CUBA TRANSITION COORDINATOR'S CONSULTATIONS WITH
THE DANES

REF: STATE 52623

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d


1. (C) U.S. Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry
reviewed for Danish officials and media U.S. priorities for
supporting democracy in Cuba during his April 23 visit to
Copenhagen, underscoring the importance of complementary
approaches from the European Union. McCarry emphasized that
the Cuba's future is for the Cuban people themselves to
decide, noting that there have been encouraging signs of
change in popular mood since Fidel Castro transferred power
to his brother Raul last July. It is especially important
that the European Union not undermine its Common Position on
Cuba at this critical juncture, McCarry argued, urging a
renewed focus on securing the release of political prisoners.


2. (C) Danish MFA Head of Department for Latin America Susan
Ulbaek welcomed McCarry's analysis of developments in Cuba
and his review of U.S. engagement with democratic forces.
She allowed that Denmark, without an embassy in Havana or any
significant commercial interests, had limited itself to
general expressions of support for human rights in Cuba, but
indicated that the Danish government shares our concern about
the direction of EU policy (in a meeting with us the previous
week, Ulbaek's deputy had been sharply critical of Spanish FM
Moratinos' recent visit to Havana). Ulbaek observed that
differences between the U.S. and the EU (e.g., over the
embargo and Helms-Burton) tend to become exaggerated over
time and force otherwise like-minded member states, such as
Denmark, on the defensive within the EU. The result is that
U.S. policy becomes the issue, rather than focusing on what
the EU can do to advance democracy in Cuba, she said.


3. (C) Ulbaek encouraged us to think about making a "bold
move" toward Cuba, perhaps on economic or trade policy, that
could put the Cuban regime back squarely on the defensive and
improve the U.S. position with the rest of Latin America.
Such a measure could regain us the moral high ground, she
argued, and would revitalize international efforts to promote
human rights and democratic reform in Cuba. Ulbaek indicated
that she welcomed intensified efforts on political prisoners
and agreed to McCarry's suggestion to telephone the wife of
imprisoned dissident Dr. Biscet as a signal of Danish support.


4. (C) McCarry also reviewed Cuba policy with the chair of
the Danish parliamentary foreign policy committee, Gitte
Lillelund Bech, who had traveled to Latin America last month
and also welcomed hearing directly from us about the changes
underway in Cuba. Bech reported that the small Danish
Communist Party had protested McCarry's visit, prompting some
opposition members of parliament to demand explanations from
her and the MFA, but in the end none were sufficiently
disturbed to come and express their concerns personally (Bech
had issued a general invitation to the meeting with McCarry).
Bech welcomed McCarry's report on the recent "Unity for
Freedom" declaration and expressed support for maintaining a
firm EU policy on Cuba.


5. (U) The Danish center-left national daily "Politiken"
featured its interview with McCarry in a full-page article
April 25, entitled "An American guide to Cuba after Castro."
The article included critical references to the U.S. embargo
and the local Cuban ambassador's brusque dismissal of
McCarry's mission, but it also highlighted McCarry's message
that the U.S. is working to support the Cuban people and even
directed readers to the website of the Commission for
Assistance to a Free Cuba (CAFC).


6. (C)Comment: The Danes were clearly pleased to compare
notes with McCarry on Cuba and now have a better appreciation
for what we are trying to do there. McCarry's discussions
and our previous exchanges with Danish officials suggest that
the Danes will be supportive on Cuba, but do not feel
themselves in a position to lead the fight within the EU on
this issue. We believe, however, that they are prepared to
do more, and we would welcome suggestions on initiatives and
projects that we could pitch to the Danish government.
CAIN