IRELAND: EU VISIT TO CUBA WILL CONFORM WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000104 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN CU EI SUBJECT: IRELAND: EU VISIT TO CUBA WILL CONFORM WITH DUEL-TRACK POLICY REF: A. STATE 20108 ¶B. STATE 18317 Classified By: Political/Economic Chief Theodore Pierce for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel demarches to Americas Desk Officer Karen Miller, Department of Foreign Affairs, on February 29. Acknowledging USG concerns regarding the timing and focus of EU Commissioner Michel's visit to Cuba, Miller emphasized that the EU Common Position on CUBA requires that any EU official visiting CUBA use the dual-track approach of meeting with both the GOC and dissidents. She indicated that Michel's visit would adhere to this requirement, noting that Michel's visit had been planned well in advance of the recent presidential change. Miller said that she would share the USG concerns with Ireland's representatives to the EU. Irish officials do not have plans to visit CUBA in the near future, she concluded. ¶2. (C) Comment: Ireland would certainly support the emergence of democracy in CUBA and would agree that human rights abuses need to stop. However, Ireland's policy toward the new Cuban regime will almost certainly reflect emerging EU policy. End comment. FOLEY