SLOVENIA ON CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION AT UNGA

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000672 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PASS TO IO/UNP JOHN MARIZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017 TAGS: UNGA ETRD PHUM UN CU SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA ON CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION AT UNGA REF: SECSTATE 148506 Classified By: CDA MCOLEMAN E.O. 12958, reason 1.4(b, d) ¶1. (SBU) On October 25, EmbOff met with Smiljana Knez, head of the MFA's Human Rights Unit, to urge Slovenia to vote against, or, at a minimum, abstain on the annual UNGA resolution introduced by Cuba condemning the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba, per reftel. EmbOff also asked that the GOS deliver a robust Explanation of Vote expressing its concerns about the human rights situation in Cuba and the need for a democratic transition. Knez explained that Slovenia would maintain its consistent policy on Cuba issues, in line with a common EU policy. She stated that, therefore, Slovenia will vote in favor of the UNGA resolution to end the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba. Knez said that the GOS would not commit to deliver an Explanation of Vote on the resolution, but noted that Slovenia has consistently voiced its concerns about the human rights situation in Cuba. COLEMAN