Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LISBON1386
2007-05-18 16:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

PORTUGAL IMPUT FOR TITLE III SUSPENSION OF

Tags:  ETRD ETTC PREL PO 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #1386 1381606
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 181606Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5883
INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0035
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001386 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

WHA/CCA, EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL IMPUT FOR TITLE III SUSPENSION OF
LIBERTAD ACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 65523


B. LISBON 670

Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001386

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

WHA/CCA, EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL IMPUT FOR TITLE III SUSPENSION OF
LIBERTAD ACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 65523


B. LISBON 670

Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) MFA Latin America Desk Officer Joao Batista said
Portugal's relationship with Cuba has not changed over the
last year and responded to reftel questions with updated
information for the Title III Suspension of Libertad Act
report.


2. (C) Economic activity between Portugal and Cuba is limited
and mostly in the tourism and import/export sectors. The
major player is the Amorim Corporation, a Portuguese-based
company with offices worldwide. Its activities in Cuba focus
on the tourism industry, especially in the construction and
management of hotels, and import/export. The director of
Amorim's tourism arm told us recently that the company
planned soon to terminate its hotel management contracts in
Cuba. Although the hotel business is thriving, he said heavy
Cuban government regulation and taxation makes turning a
profit impossible. In addition, the GOP-owned Air Portugal
(TAP) flies twice weekly charter flights (using aircraft
belonging to charter company White Airlines) of Portuguese
tourists to Cuba between November and April; the frequency of
flights at other times varies according to fluctuating
demand. The Portuguese did not initiate any new trade
agreements with Cuba over the last year and Batista confirmed
that Portugal does not have any exchange programs with Cuba.


3. (C) The Portuguese hold firmly to the principles of
protecting human rights and insist that Cuba must send clear
signals in support of human rights before the EU removes its
sanctions completely. Over the last several months,
high-level MFA officials have reached out to us to stress
their interest in collaborating closely to help shape Cuba's
political transition.


4. (U) Batista told us about three high level visits that
have occurred over the last six months. Cuban FM Felipe
Perez Roque visited Lisbon as part of a four-stop European
tour and met with Portuguese FM Amado and Parliament
President Jaime Gama in March 2007 (see ref B). Cuban Deputy
Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation
Ricardo Guerrero also visited Portugal in April. In March,
Portuguese Secretary of State (equivalent to an
Undersecretary) for Youth and Sports Laurentino Dias visited
Cuba.


5. (C) Comment: Given the GOP's growing interest in playing a
constructive role in Cuba, we believe it will continue work
with us on plans to promote democracy and human rights there.
End comment.
O'Neal