REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000718

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA - DMCFARLAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU XL
SUBJECT: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD
ACT: ST. LUCIA

REF: STATE 126578

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires D. Brent Hardt for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) Responses keyed to reftel questions:

- Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote
the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba?

No. St. Lucia has not taken steps to advance democracy and
human rights in Cuba. St. Lucia regularly participates in
annual CARICOM-Cuba Day events, traditionally held on
December 8.

- Has the host country made other public statements or
undertaken other governmental actions, such as resolutions in
the national assemblies condemning human rights abuses in
Cuba; or actions in support of civil society in Cuba through
host country's diplomatic missions or other fora?

The Government of St. Lucia has not undertaken any such
activities.

- Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between
Cuba and host country in the past six months?

Yes. Prime Minister Stephenson King led a high-level
delegation to Santiago de Cuba to participate in the annual
CARICOM-Cuba summit December 7-8.

- Did the host country offer or deliver humanitarian or other
assistance to the Cuban people in the wake of the major
damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav (August 30) and Ike
(September 8)?

The St. Lucia-Cuba Friendship Association coordinated two
events to collect and send humanitarian supplies to Cuba
following the hurricanes.

- What is the nature of investments (and names, if known)
that host country businesses have in Cuba? What host country
businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair (November 3)?

There are no St. Lucian businesses known to have investments
in Cuba. Post can find no evidence of St. Lucian businesses
participating in FIHAV 2008.

- Are there any bilateral trade agreements between host
country and Cuba?

Yes. CARICOM has a trade agreement with Cuba that St. Lucia
has ratified.

- Are there any exchange programs between host country and
Cuba, including but not limited to: scholarships for host
country nationals to study in Cuba; Cuban-paid medical travel
for host country nationals; and Cuban doctors working in host
country?

Yes. St. Lucia is the recipient of Cuban scholarships.
HARDT