PORTUGAL'S FALL REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 003051 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL'S FALL REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT REF: A. SECSTATE 158768 ¶B. SECSTATE 147620 Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, U.S. Embassy Lisbon Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Portuguese MFA Latin America Desk Officer Leandro Amado reported that Portugal's relationship with Cuba has not changed over the last year. He responded to ref A questions with updated information for the Title III Suspension of Libertad Act report. ¶2. (C) Economic activity between Portugal and Cuba is limited and mainly centered on the tourism and import/export sectors. The Amorim Corporation's investment represents the most significant business investment tie that Portugal has with Cuba at present. Amorim, a Portuguese-based international company, is invested in the tourism industry, especially in tourism fishing, and import/export. Amorim closed their hotel services in Cuba, reportedly because of difficulties doing business there. 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 Amado confirmed that Portugal has not had any active cultural exchange programs with Cuba since the imposition of the EU's sanctions. ¶3. (C) The Portuguese hold firmly to the principles of protecting human rights and promoting transition to democracy in Cuba. The GOP continues to insist that Cuba must send clear signals in support of human rights before the EU removes its sanctions completely. Portuguese MFA officials responded positively to our demarche, which proposed working with the European Union to express concerns over Cuba's human rights record (ref B). As current EU President, Portugal is attempting to coordinate the EU's response in advance of the next U.S.-EU consultations on Latin America, and was proactive in establishing an EU-Cuba meeting on the margins of the UNGA last September to discuss human rights concerns. ¶4. (U) Amado told us that one high-level visit occurred over the last six months. Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla visited Lisbon from November 7-9 to attend the EU "Development Days" Conference, sponsored as part of Portugal's EU Presidency. During Parrilla's stay, he met with MFA Secretary of State for Cooperation Joao Cravinho, and, according to Amado, discussed the established common EU points promoting human rights. Hoffman