NETHERLANDS/CUBA: STRADDLING THE FENCE ON THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000908 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/FO (C. MCCARRY) E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM CU NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: STRADDLING THE FENCE ON THE COMMON POSITION THE HAGUE 00000908 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew S. Schofer; reasons 1.4 (b an d d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry met May 8 with senior Dutch Foreign Ministry officials, NGOs, media and a member of Parliament active in the Cuban human rights campaign. The MFA hopes to reunite EU member states around a common position that does not legitimize the status quo in Cuba. However, they are clearly looking for ways to engage members of the Raul Castro regime who might emerge as leaders in a transition scenario. Three of four NGOs we met approached Cuba from a human rights angle and adamantly opposed the Raul Castro regime. A fourth, Oxfam, was much more forgiving. Print and radio interviews attracted some of the most informed Dutch journalists on Cuba affairs. End summary. MFA: Looking for ways to engage but not legitimize -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) McCarry met with MFA Director General Pieter de Gooijer and Director of the Americas Department, Laurent Stokvis. According to de Gooijer, whose views Stokvis largely echoed, the Dutch are concerned about Cuban human rights but are frustrated that they currently have no influence with the Cuban government. The key question, as de Gooijer framed it, was how to gain such influence. De Gooijer emphasized the Dutch determination to maintain a common EU position on Cuba and made plain his discomfort with recent Spanish moves. He left room for a compromise, saying that a common EU position "could include different roles for different EU countries." He questioned - but did not reject - the U.S. focus on the opposition and civil society, noting that "democratic revolutions are not usually peaceful." ¶3. (C) De Gooijer emphasized the EU must avoid legitimizing the current (Raul Castro) regime or the status quo. The question, as he put it, was "whether we can create a forum (or) vehicle for contacts with those (officials of the current regime) who would have to be part of a changed regime." McCarry noted that the Cuban government under Raul Castro did not appear interested in reform and that this regime was probably less stable than its predecessor. He urged the Dutch to support maintaining the EU's common position, including the restrictive measures. ¶4. (C) De Gooijer agreed that Raul does not have the standing, charisma or simple magic of Fidel and that his regime would be forced either to repress further or to reform. He asked whether the time had come for more engagement, but he offered no answer. McCarry said that if the Cubans truly engage in democratic reform, then we will stand ready to assist them. He pointed out, however, that there is danger in ignoring the existing political opposition and urged de Gooijer to push for an EU statement acknowledging the opposition. He also urged the Dutch to talk with the Hungarians, who are looking for creative and effective ways forward. ¶5. (C) De Gooijer concluded by saying that U.S. and Dutch goals and analysis are similar. He noted that the GONL does not want to take any steps that would complicate the U.S. policy process or that would distance the U.S. and the Netherlands. He recommended continued close contact. Parliament: Christian Democrats focused on Cuban human rights -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) McCarry met with Dutch Parliamentarian Kathleen Ferrier, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and spokesperson for Development Cooperation for senior coalition party Christian Democrats (CDA). Ferrier, who is originally from Suriname and speaks Spanish, is active in the Netherlands in the Cuban human rights movement. Along with Foreign Minister Verhagen (before he assumed his current post),she has participated in protests, including last year's March 18 commemorations in front of the Cuban embassy. She said that she was denied entry to Cuba in October 2005, after her colleague from Spain announced on radio their intention to meet with opposition members and dissidents. ¶7. (C) Ferrier complained about the Spanish approach on the Common Position and said that the CDA parliamentary faction, the largest in Parliament, has on several occasions submitted THE HAGUE 00000908 002.2 OF 002 questions to the Dutch government on its plans to assist in a Cuban transition. She noted that Cubans do not know what is happening in their own country and lauded U.S. efforts to promote information and media diversity. She was surprised by our assessment that Raul Castro's regime remains vulnerable; she believed it had succeeded in consolidating power. Ferrier concluded by asking what she personally could do to assist the Cuban transition to democracy. NGOs: Human rights dominate the Dutch agenda -------------- ¶8. (SBU) McCarry met next with representatives from four Dutch NGOs - a Dutch solidarity chapter of CLAT (Central Latinoamericana de Trabajadores),Pax Christi, NOVIB (Oxfam), and a small movement called Glasnost in Cuba. Pax Christi asked a few hard hitting questions on family visitation travel but was overall sympathetic to our views and very interested in our thoughts. Glasnost and CLAT both are actively opposed to the Castro regime and supportive of U.S. efforts. Oxfam's representative, on the other hand, was openly skeptical of U.S. efforts and questioned the majority of our assertions concerning conditions inside Cuba. Oxfam's representative said his organization cooperates informally with the Cuban government on several medical projects in the region (i.e., Haiti) and has projects in Cuba. Media: Cuba is a hot topic -------------- ¶9. (U) Finally, McCarry held a media rountable, covered by eight of the Netherlands' more knowledgeable reporters on Cuba. His remarks were covered by NOS Radio One, the country's most widely heard radio news program. He also conducted an interview with the Spanish language service of Radio Netherlands, which has a worldwide audience of twenty-one million. ¶10. (C) Comment: McCarry's visit was a huge draw. For post, one fact stood out: public interest in Cuban human rights is high, and our message has an audience. End comment. ¶11. (U) McCarry has cleared on this cable. ARNALL