CANADA'S RESPONSE TO THE LIBERTAD ACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 002205

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/CAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CA CU
SUBJECT: CANADA'S RESPONSE TO THE LIBERTAD ACT

REF: SECSTATE 65523

Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Answers below to reftel questions derive from
information from the Deputy Director of the Central America
and Caribbean Division, the Cuba Desk Officer, and the Trade
Commissioner and Director of Latin America and Caribbean
Commercial Relations at the Canadian Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).


2. (C) What is the nature of investments (and names, if
known) that host country businesses have in Cuba?

Canada is one of the largest foreign investors in Cuba.
Canadian natural resources company Sherritt International is
one of the world's largest investors in Cuba. Sherritt
engages in mining, oil and gas production, electricity
generation, and soybean processing in Cuba. Canadian
companies operate in a variety of sectors of the Cuban
economy, including tourism, construction, agriculture,
bio-technology, and mining. In November 2007, Canada had a
pavilion at the 25th Havana Trade Fair. Canada participates
in this fair, the largest in Cuba, on an annual basis.
Canada imports from Cuba in 2006 were estimated at CAD 692
million. Primary imports are tobacco, books and newspapers,
and seafood. Canadian exports to Cuba were estimated at CAD
513 million in 2006. Main exports are machinery, electronic
equipment, motor vehicles, as well as copper, iron, and steel
products.


3. (C) Are there any bilateral trade agreements between host
country and Cuba?

With the exception of an aviation agreement, Canada has no
bilateral trade agreements with Cuba.


4. (C) Are there any exchange programs between host country
and Cuba, including but not limited to: scholarships for host
country nationals to study in Cuba; Cuban-paid medical travel
for host country nationals; and Cuban doctors working in host
country?

Canada does not have a formal exchange program with Cuba,
including in the medical field. However, many exchanges
occur informally between organizations such as high school
sports teams and cultural groups. Some Canadian and Cuban
youths participate in academic exchange programs.


5. (C) Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to
promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in
Cuba? This can include: public statements or other
governmental actions, such as resolutions in the national
assemblies condemning human rights abuses in Cuba; statements
in support of democracy following the July 31, 2006 handover
of power from Fidel to Raul Castro; or actions in support of
civil society in Cuba through host country's diplomatic
missions or other fora.

Canada shares the same goals as the United States toward Cuba
in respect to democracy and human rights. Canada, however,
maintains a policy of "principled engagement" with both the
Cuban government and dissident elements, which Canada
believes allows it the opportunity to have a positive impact
on human rights and democracy in Cuba. There are a number of
examples over the past six months of Canada's engagement and
intervention on behalf of human rights and the advancement of
democratization in Cuba:

-- Prime Minister Harper made statements emphasizing the
importance of human rights in Cuba during July 2007 visits to
Chile and Barbados, which were part of a Latin American and
Caribbean tour signaling Canada's re-engagement with the
region. At a news conference in Barbados, PM Harper stated
that Canada has "concerns about certain aspects of governance
and human rights in Cuba" and is actively promoting values
Qand human rights in Cuba" and is actively promoting values
related to democratic and open societies throughout the
region;

-- The Canadian Ambassador and officials from the Government
of Cuba meet regularly to discuss the harsh treatment of
dissidents. Conversations are reportedly polite but "firm and
frank;"

--The Canadian Embassy sponsors Canadian Studies Centers in
several locations in Cuba to inform the general populace
about life in a democratic country with a market-based
economy. A wide range of literature on human rights and
democracy is available in these centers. The Canadian
government also regularly sends speakers to these venues,

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such as a visit in February 2007 by Canadian Supreme Court
Justice Michel Bastarache, during which he spoke about human
rights and Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms;

-- The Canadian government-funded think tank FOCAL (Canadian
Foundation for the Americas) maintains an active series of
programs on Cuba which focus on support for dissidents and
the post-Castro period. It has a comprehensive program for
documenting all Cuban government actions against dissidents
and supports an active dialogue on planning for the
post-Castro era. FOCAL also supports civil society programs
such as a recent conference entitled "Afro-Cubans and
Economic Development: What Role for Strategic Policy and
Civil Society?"


6. (C) Have there been any high level diplomatic visits
between Cuba and host country in the past six months?

-- Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard Edwards visited
Cuba from May 24 to 27, 2007. According to DFAIT's Central
America and Caribbean Division Deputy Director, Edwards had a
three-hour meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Roque, with
the "vast majority" of the three hours devoted to human
rights, including specific political prisoners;

-- Cuban Minister of Government Ricardo Cabrisas visited
Canada in July 2007. Cabrisas met with high level Canadian
government officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister
Edwards and Parliamentary Secretary Ted Menzies to discuss
trade and investment, as well as human rights and other
political issues;

-- Josefina Vidal, the director of the North America Division
at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited Ottawa in
November 2007. Vidal met with officials from DFAIT and the
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),as well as
various political and economic institutions.

Visit our shared North American Partnership blog (Canada & Mexico) at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap

WILKINS