MFA OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON CUBA, SEEKING WAYS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000350 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER LO CU EU SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON CUBA, SEEKING WAYS TO COOPERATE WITH BOGOTA REF: A) STATE 77205 B) STATE 74378 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Susan Ball, for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief reviewed reftel points with Dusan Kristofik, Director of the MFA'S America's division, on July ¶30. Kristofik pointed out that Slovakia covers Colombia and Venezuela from its embassy in Brasilia, so it tries to take advantage of contacts in multilateral settings to reinforce messages regarding the FARC and counternarcotics. Kristofic characterized Colombia's Honorary Consul in Bratislava, with whom he had recently met, as extremely active and able. He noted that the GOS was considering participation in a counter-terrorism conference being hosted by the Colombians in October. ¶2. (C) With respect to the EU's new Common Position on Cuba, Kristofik was not optimistic that it would yield significant near-term changes in Cuban policy. He pointed out that Cuba's "answer" to the EU's lifting of sanctions had been the imprisonment on July 3 of 15 members of the opposition. Kristofik stated that he thought the individuals had been freed, but added that the episode didn't augur well for the unconditional release of all political prisoners anytime soon. He noted that although the "internet cafe" at the Slovak Embassy in Havana was not currently open, due to Schengen-related restrictions, it would resume in the near future. Although the GOS has not yet asked for agrement, the current Slovak Ambassador to Havana is slated to be replaced by a career diplomat who has served previously in Havana, Zdenek Rozhold, in the fall. Kristofik also informed that, under the long-awaited MFA reorganization -- in effect as of September 1 -- responsibility for Latin and Central America and the Caribbean would be transferred to the MFA's economic directorate. OBSITNIK