CUBA: COM MEETING WITH POLISH AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 001096 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PHUM CU SUBJECT: CUBA: COM MEETING WITH POLISH AMBASSADOR Classified By: COM: Michael E. Parmly: For reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) USINT COM and POL officer met with Polish Ambassador Marzenna Adamczyk on 23 November to discuss the recent visit of a Polish delegation to inspect a new embassy facility and the efforts of Poland to engage Cuba,s civil society. Adamczyk reported that the delegation, which was led by the Polish Foreign Ministry,s Director of North and South America, toured the former civil defense building in Havana,s Miramar neighborhood slated to serve as the new Polish Embassy. She explained that the more spacious facility would afford Poland with the opportunity to expand its local staff and employ one diplomat who would work exclusively with civil society. With an estimated opening date in the fall of 2008, Adamczyk considered the new embassy a key component to Poland,s efforts to reinvigorate its on-island presence. ¶2. (C) Adamczyk elaborated on Poland,s policy goals with Cuba,s dissidents, which consists of working to unite the varying factions through Polish Embassy-sponsored activities. She assessed that the infighting between different political organizations was limiting their ability to gain traction and damaging their credibility. Adamczyk stated that helping the groups to find common ground remained Poland,s chief objective, and she indicated her desire to work to move civil society in this direction over the course of her time on-island. While emphasizing her country's support of Cuba,s dissidents, Adamczyk expressed discouragement over their perceived inability to develop a viable plan for moving Cuba forward in a post-Castro era. Despite the above pledge of support to civil society, Adamczyk emphasized her intention to maintain an open channel of communication with the Cuban regime, noting that doing so provided her with greater freedom to maneuver and ensured her voice would be heard. (Adamczyk is known to be friendly with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, who has been overheard teasing her for speaking better Spanish than he does.) Adamczyk concluded by stressing the necessity for Western nations to adopt a common position towards Cuba, similar to the European Union document as a means of ensuring all parties are moving in the same direction. ¶3. (C) Comment: We will continue to work to maintain the close relationship we have traditionally had with the Polish Embassy here. However, unlike in the recent past, Adamczyk will be forceful in pressing Warsaw to pursue a policy of greater engagement with all levels of Cuban society, including the regime itself. Adamczyk did not foresee high-level (e.g., Ministerial) visits in the months ahead, but neither did she rule out the idea. PARMLY