Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LUXEMBOURG170
2007-05-08 10:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Luxembourg
Cable title:
LUXEMBOURG CONCERNED ABOUT CUBA'S LACK OF PROGRESS
how-toVZCZCXRO8571 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHLE #0170 1281019 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 081019Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5876 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0007 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
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)
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
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