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