Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VIENNA1328
2007-05-21 15:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:  

AUSTRIA: REVIEW OF LIBERTAD ACT SUSPENSION

Tags:  ERD ETTC PREL CU AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1588
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHVI #1328 1411505
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211505Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7360
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0034
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001328 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA AND EUR/AGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: ERD ETTC PREL CU AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA: REVIEW OF LIBERTAD ACT SUSPENSION

REF: A) STATE 65523 B) VIENNA 1282

Classified By: Acting Economic-Political Counselor Phillip R. Nelson
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Austrian Investments in Cuba
----------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001328

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA AND EUR/AGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: ERD ETTC PREL CU AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA: REVIEW OF LIBERTAD ACT SUSPENSION

REF: A) STATE 65523 B) VIENNA 1282

Classified By: Acting Economic-Political Counselor Phillip R. Nelson
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Austrian Investments in Cuba
--------------


1. (SBU) To date, the only Austrian foreign investment in
Cuba is a Havana brewery (Salm Brau),established in 2003.
Since the signing of the Austrian-Cuban Agreement on
Investment Protection in 2001, Cuba has actively lobbied to
attract Austrian investment in the tourism and hospitality
sectors.


2. (SBU) The Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) sporadically
organizes events to promote Austrian investment in Cuba. In
May 2007, the WKO organized a "Cuba Information Day" with the
Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Investments and Economic
Cooperation.


3. (C) Embassy Vienna knows of no Austrian direct investment
that might be subject to Libertad III. We have no
information regarding any new or contemplated projects that
might result in litigation under the Libertad Act.


Bilateral Trade Agreements with Cuba
--------------


4. (C) Since December 1, 2001, an Austrian-Cuban Agreement
on Investment Protection and an Agreement on Economic,
Industrial, and Scientific Cooperation are in force. The
Austrian export-import entity, the Kontrollbank, offers
short-term export credit guarantees of up to Euro 2 million.
Embassy Vienna is not aware of any Kontrollbank credits for
firms doing business in Cuba. A double taxation agreement
entered into force in September 2006.


Exchange Programs with Cuba
--------------


5. (SBU) Embassy is not aware of any Austrian
Government-sponsored exchange programs with the Cuban
Government. However, an Austrian NGO, the Austro-Cuban
Society, organizes annual "solidarity brigade" projects on
farms and in the construction sector.


Promoting Democracy and Human Rights in Cuba
--------------


6. (C) The GoA continues to follow a two-pronged strategy to
promote democracy and human rights in Cuba by intensifying
contacts with civil society and engaging the GoC on democracy
and human rights. The GoA supports a common EU position to
promote democracy and improve the human rights situation in
Cuba.


High-level Diplomatic Visits
--------------


7. (C) In the last six months, there have been no high-level
visits between Cuban and Austrian officials.
McCaw