Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME2398
2007-11-30 09:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY AND CUBA: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW FOR LIBERTAD
how-toVZCZCXRO0092 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRO #2398 3340912 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 300912Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9464 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 9122 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 2783 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 2927 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0038
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002398
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY AND CUBA: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW FOR LIBERTAD
TITLE III WAIVER
REF: STATE 158768
Classified By: A/Pol M/C Jonathan Cohen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002398
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY AND CUBA: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW FOR LIBERTAD
TITLE III WAIVER
REF: STATE 158768
Classified By: A/Pol M/C Jonathan Cohen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is post's response to reftel request for updated
information necessary for the President's consideration of
continued suspension of Title III of the LIBERTAD Act.
2. (C) There has been little change in Italian relations with
Cuba over the past six months. The most significant event
was a visit by Cuban Deputy FM Eumelio Caballero to Rome in
October 16-19 to participate in the Italy-Latin America
Institute's biannual conference. His meeting with MFA
Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean Donato Di
Santo was "void of substance," according to Cuba Desk Officer
Paolo Bonissone. Caballero asked Di Santo about the
possibility of a visit to Cuba by FM D'Alema, which Di Santo
rejected out of hand, saying there could be no visit without
the opportunity to meet with the political opposition.
3. (C) The Italian Embassy in Havana continued to meet with
opposition leaders as part of Italy's two-track approach to
engage both Cuban government officials and the opposition.
Italy did not participate in exchange programs with Cuba.
There was no significant change in the level of Italian
investment, joint ventures, or tourism in Cuba. The most
substantial Italian investment in Cuba remained Telecom
Italia's 27 percent ownership stake in Etecsa, the Cuban
telecom monopoly.
4. (C) Comment: Embassy Rome recommends the continuation of
Italy's waiver under Title III of the LIBERTAD Act. Post
believes the waiver helps Italy maintain positions critical
of the GOC. End Comment.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY AND CUBA: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW FOR LIBERTAD
TITLE III WAIVER
REF: STATE 158768
Classified By: A/Pol M/C Jonathan Cohen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is post's response to reftel request for updated
information necessary for the President's consideration of
continued suspension of Title III of the LIBERTAD Act.
2. (C) There has been little change in Italian relations with
Cuba over the past six months. The most significant event
was a visit by Cuban Deputy FM Eumelio Caballero to Rome in
October 16-19 to participate in the Italy-Latin America
Institute's biannual conference. His meeting with MFA
Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean Donato Di
Santo was "void of substance," according to Cuba Desk Officer
Paolo Bonissone. Caballero asked Di Santo about the
possibility of a visit to Cuba by FM D'Alema, which Di Santo
rejected out of hand, saying there could be no visit without
the opportunity to meet with the political opposition.
3. (C) The Italian Embassy in Havana continued to meet with
opposition leaders as part of Italy's two-track approach to
engage both Cuban government officials and the opposition.
Italy did not participate in exchange programs with Cuba.
There was no significant change in the level of Italian
investment, joint ventures, or tourism in Cuba. The most
substantial Italian investment in Cuba remained Telecom
Italia's 27 percent ownership stake in Etecsa, the Cuban
telecom monopoly.
4. (C) Comment: Embassy Rome recommends the continuation of
Italy's waiver under Title III of the LIBERTAD Act. Post
believes the waiver helps Italy maintain positions critical
of the GOC. End Comment.
SPOGLI