INPUT ON FRANCE RE COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004616

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2027
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU FR
SUBJECT: INPUT ON FRANCE RE COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR
SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT

REF: STATE 158768

Classified By: Classified by Econ Counselor Stuart Dwyer; reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).


1. (U) The following information is keyed to the questions
contained in reftel request for information related to Title
III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD)
Act.

France
--------------

2. (C) What is the nature of investment that host country
businesses have in Cuba? French foreign direct investment in
Cuba totals 356 million Euros, which ranks it as the fourth
forth largest investor (4 percent of total FDI in Cuba)
behind Spain, Canada and Italy. Approximately 60 French
firms are present in Cuba, concentrated in the tourism,
construction, telecommunications, energy, transport and
processed food sectors.


3. (C) Are there any bilateral trade agreements between the
host country and Cuba? Not applicable as the European
Commission (EC) has competence for European Union members
states on trade agreements.


4. (C) Are there any exchange programs between the 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? There are no government to
government agreements on any such exchanges. Non
governmental groups in France are free to travel to Cuba and
to support exchanges. There are no provisions in France for
Cuban sponsored medical travel for French nationals and there
are no Cuban sponsored doctors in France.


5. (C) Has the host country, in Post,s opinion, worked to
promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in
Cuba? Yes. The Government of France has an officer at its
Embassy in Havana dedicated to engaging with the dissident
community and uses this position to support human rights and
democracy issues in Cuba. France regularly demarches the
Cuban government over the well-being of political prisoners.



6. (C) Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits
between Cuba and the host country in the past six months?
No, according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

STAPLETON

Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm


STAPLETON