Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS291
2008-02-29 11:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
DISCOURAGING EU DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER'S VISIT
how-toVZCZCXRO1084 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHTH #0291 0601124 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 291124Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1317 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0013
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000291
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EU CU GR
SUBJECT: DISCOURAGING EU DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER'S VISIT
TO CUBA
REF: STATE 20108
Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
(C) A/Political Counselor delivered reftel points
discouraging EU Development Commissioner Michel's proposed
visit to Cuba to Chris Maniakis-Grivas, the Deputy Director
of the MFA's Directorate for Latin American and the
Caribbean. Maniakis-Grivas said Brussels had reported U.S.
concerns with the Michel visit. He noted that member states
have "difficulties in controlling EU Commissioners," adding
that in this particular case, there are genuine differences
among EU members about how best to engage Raul Castro's Cuba.
He said the trip was likely to take place. Maniakis-Grivas
took on board our points that should Michel travel to Cuba,
he should meet with representatives of dissidents and civil
society and should call for the release of political
prisoners. Maniakis-Grivas said that Greece would seek to
encourage thinking in Brussels along those lines. He added,
however, that Greece is not among the major players within
the EU on Latin American matters.
SPECKHARD