LUXEMBOURG CONCERNED ABOUT CUBA'S LACK OF PROGRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000170 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CU LU EU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG CONCERNED ABOUT CUBA'S LACK OF PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS REF: STATE 52623 Classified By: DCM Steven H. Kraft for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Luxembourg is concerned about the EU's lack of progress with Cuba on the subject of human rights but still favors an "open, constructive and comprehensive dialogue" with Cuba. In the past, Luxembourg has played a constructive role within the EU in finding compromises but it does not believe it can play that role now. In both its bilateral and EU dealings with Cuba, Luxembourg's priority remains the release of political prisoners. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Pol/Econ officer delivered points contained reftel 19 April and discussed them further with the MFA Desk Officer for Latin America on 2 May. He said that Luxembourg was concerned about Cuba's lack of progress on human rights issues and wondered if the EU's current approach had been effective. He confirmed the huge divide within the EU that we have heard from other Member States. One side, led by Spain, advocating increased engagement and the other side, led by "East European members," advocating a harder line. While reminding us that Luxembourg played a key role in finding a compromise on the issue during its 2005 EU presidency, he said that he did not believe Luxembourg could do it again in this instance. ¶3. (C) Despite its doubts about the effectiveness of the EU's current policy, the desk officer said that both on the EU and bilateral level, Luxembourg remained in favor of an "open, comprehensive and constructive dialogue" with Cuba. He added that this dialogue should be a "frank" one which included discussions of human rights and, in particular, the release of political prisoners. Looking to the future, he said that Luxembourg believed that Raul Castro wanted to open up Cuba economically. Pol/Econ officer noted the upcoming European visits of Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry and WHA DAS Kirsten Madison and the MFA officer said that Luxembourg's EU delegation would likely attend one of EU's meetings with McCarry and/or Madison in Brussels. WAGNER