Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRATISLAVA350
2008-07-31 17:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
MFA OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON CUBA, SEEKING WAYS TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSL #0350 2131716 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 311716Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1870 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0030
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.
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
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