Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HAVANA806
2007-08-17 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
US Interests Section Havana
Cable title:  

CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY HANGS OVER CHAVIANO RELEASE

Tags:  PHUM PINR PREL CU 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHUB #0806/01 2291625
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 171625Z AUG 07
FM USINT HAVANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2158
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RUCOWCV/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUCOGCA/COMNAVBASE GUANTANAMO BAY CU
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUESDM/JTLO MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HAVANA 000806 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL CU
SUBJECT: CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY HANGS OVER CHAVIANO RELEASE

Classified By: COM: Michael E. Parmly: For reasons 1.4 b/d

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HAVANA 000806

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL CU
SUBJECT: CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY HANGS OVER CHAVIANO RELEASE

Classified By: COM: Michael E. Parmly: For reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) SUMMARY: Released after 13 years in prison,
Francisco Chaviano, a prominent Cuban opposition
figure, wants to remain in Cuba to continue his work after
seeking urgently needed medical care in the U.S.
However, Cuban authorities have still not spelled out the
conditions of his release. He expects that they will do so
so on August 24, when he meets with them. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Chaviano immediately made clear during a visit to his
home on 8/16 by COM and USINT Human Rights Officer that he was committe
prison. Chaviano, a mathematician, was accused of revealing
state secrets, a charge he firmly denies, due to his work in
trying to quantify the number of deaths of Cubans
attempting to flee by boat in the Florida straits. He is
the founder and president of the dissident organization,
the National Council for Civil Rights (Consejo Nacional de
Derechos Civicos).


3. (C) Despite coping in prison for years, with the food
barely adequate for subsistance level, the rats and
insects, the stifling heat and humidity, the isolation, and
the many nights sleeping on the floor, Chaviano showed no
signs of tension in his facial muscles and posture. He
talked in a relaxed manner and often smiled and joked. His
complexion and overall appearance showed no outward signs
that he faces serious health problems. His wife was effusive
in her gratitude for USINT and USG support over the years.
( A CNN cameraman arrived at the house seeking footage of
Chaviano at home and walking around his property. Chaviano
welcomed being photographed with USINT staff.)


4. (C) Chaviano met with GOC officials on 8/14. He read
to us given to him at that time from a paper that was very
vague regarding what was expected from him. The document stated
that the release was due to "extraordinary circumstances". The
official paper claimed he had been an uncooperative prisoner
(which could be used as a reason for denying him future clemency).
The document did not contain any conditions around his release.
Chaviano expects that the judge will stipulate these on
8/24. Officials had repeatedly told him that he would be
released in May due to a standard deduction for "stable
behavior" routinely granted based on time served. That date
came and went without any indication of imminent release.
Now, the court has informed him that there remain 242 days
left to his sentence, a clear threat to get him to
comply with conditions of his release whenever the Cuban
government cares to define these.


5. (C) Chaviano especially wants to travel with his wife
to the U.S. to seek medical care. The immediate issue is urgently
needed treatment for a tumor detected in his lungs in 2005.
However, cardiac problems, developed in prison, could prove
potentially lethal. He was hospitalized several times with
heart problems, but ongoing diagnosis and treatment have
been erratic and complicated by such things as a computer
deletion of medical information. He has been offered treatment
in the EU, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, but prefers to receive
care in a hospital in the mainland U.S. This would also afford
him and his wife an opportunity to visit their three children and
several grandchildren who reside in the Orlando, Florida area.
His wife in fact had applied in early June for a visa to visit his
children which is awaiting a Security Advisory Opinion. After
treatment,they intend to return to Cuba.


6. (C) The conversation focused on Chaviano's well being
and what was his desired plans for the immediate future. He
did not touch much on political subjects. He, however,
indicated that the provincial and municipal elections
scheduled for October 20th, supposedly leading to a General
Assembly election in 2008, are a potential positive
development. He voiced interest in "testing" the regime by
denmanding registration of a yet to be corrected political
party to compete against the official slate. He wants to
discuss the idea with fellow human rights activists on the
island. USINT made arrangements for ongoing contact.


7. (C) COMMENT. The immediate need is to see that this
prominent dissident and courageous man receives appropriate
medical attention, and that he and his long suffering wife

HAVANA 00000806 002 OF 002


have the opportunity to be reunited with their children.
The Cuban government has obviously felt pressure to release
some political prisoners using the pretext of humanitarian
considerations due to health. Given the harsh conditions
in Cuban jails, it is likely that anyone held for a
significant time in prison will develop serious health
problems. The dissident community and Chaviano himself see
no indication that these releases show a diminishing of the
harassment and abuse of those who disagree with the regime.
END COMMENT


PARMLY