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