DANES WELCOME PROPOSALS ON CUBA, UNMOVED ON EMBARGO

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000988 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV ECON EUN CU DA SUBJECT: DANES WELCOME PROPOSALS ON CUBA, UNMOVED ON EMBARGO REF: A. STATE 147620 ¶B. STATE 148506 ¶C. STATE 148553 ¶D. COPENHAGEN 419 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Danish MFA Deputy Head of Department for Asia and Latin America (DAS-equivalent) Lars Bredal reaffirmed October 26 Denmark's commitment to a firm EU policy in support of human rights and democracy in Cuba, and indicated that the Danish government welcomes U.S. interest in joint action with the EU (Ref A). Bredal noted that the proposals advanced in our approach will be addressed by the COLAT at its early November meeting, adding that some elements (such as a push for greater UN engagement in Cuba) may meet with strong Spanish resistance. From Denmark's perspective, Bredal said, the challenge of open U.S.-EU collaboration will be in avoiding the image of the West "ganging up" on Cuba -- also in the eyes of other Latin American countries. ¶2. (C) Bredal reiterated Danish opposition to the U.S. embargo, but took our Ref B points on the annual UNGA resolution and indicated that the Danes will look at a strong Explanation of Vote. Echoing Department Head Sus Ulbaek's comments to visiting U.S. Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry in April (Ref D),Bredal argued that the embargo remains a great distraction to human rights efforts and serves as a pretext for inaction for the Cuban regime. Bredal suggested that a "bold" shift in the U.S. approach would undermine Havana's position and could strengthen the resolve of America's allies. ¶3. (C) Turning to the dynamic within the European Union on Cuba, Bredal (who recently returned to the MFA after several years in Brussels) observed that the uncompromising (if historically understandable) position of the Czech Republic and other former East Bloc members tends to have a polarizing effect on the Spanish, at the other end of the spectrum. Bredal suggested that, if the Czechs and others could be encouraged to adopt a more tactical approach, the Danes, British and Dutch might succeed in getting the EU as a whole to settle on a tougher position than has been possible so far. He said that he felt reasonably confident that the EU would be able to hold Spain to the Common Position reaffirmed last June. KAISER