IMMINENT RELEASE OF PROMINENT CUBAN POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000159

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY DELETING SECSTATE AS INFO ADDEE

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: CU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: IMMINENT RELEASE OF PROMINENT CUBAN POLITICAL
PRISONERS


Classified By: COM: M.E. Parmly : For reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) Summary: The Spanish Ambassador to Cuba has
confirmed reports from reliable contacts in Cuban civil
society and the media that the government of Cuba has
arranged for the release of four political prisoners.
Sources say an announcement of their release may happen
momentarily and their transfer to Spain could take place as
early as February 16. The prisoners involved are Pedro Pablo
Alvarez. Omar Pernet Hernandez, Alejandro Gonzalez Raga and
Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo. All of these prisoners are
among the 75 leading oppositions jailed in the crackdown of

2003. The Spanish Ambassador states that the prisoners were
granted asylum in Spain and that family members will be
permitted to travel with them. The Spanish press announced
that the number of prisoners to be released could be as high
as seven. End summary.


2. (C) Noted opposition leader Martha Beatriz Roque (MBR)
contacted POL off on the evening of 14 February to say that
she had credible information that a deal had been worked out
between the governments of Spain and Cuba to release four
political prisoners and to allow them to relocate to Spain.
All of the prisoners are part of the 75 prominent dissidents
arrested in a crackdown on opposition leaders in 2003.
Initially she had the names of three of the prisoners
scheduled for release. These are: Pedro Pablo Alvarez, of
the Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores and a close associate of
Oswaldo Paya; Omar Pernet Hernandez of the Movimiento
Nacional por los Derechos Humanos; and Alejandro Gonzalez
Raga, of Paya's organization, Movimiento Cristiano
Liberacion.


3. (C) On the morning of 15 February POL off spoke with
Mauricio Vicent, Havana based reporter for the Spanish
newspaper El Pais. Vicent stated that he heard "a very
strong rumor" of the pending release of the same three
prisoners as well as a fourth whose name was unknown. He
said that some of the relatives of these prisoners were
providing this information. Vicent stressed that these
reports have not been verified.


4. (C) POL off spoke to Elizardo Sanchez, of the Commission
for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN),who
said that he had reports from several sources that four to
six political prisoners would be released and flown to Spain.
In addition to having the same three names listed above,
Sanchez said that Jose Luis Garcia Paneque and Jose Gabriel
Ramon Castillo could be released. Sanchez said that he had
very reliable information that all of these prisoners were
transferred to the same jail in Havana where they were still
in custody. CCDHRN is watching these events closely and, if
the release occurs, intends to release a strong statement
that this is a manipulative act on the part of GOC and once
again demand the release of all those unjustly imprisoned.


5. (C) MBR called USINT stating that the government of
Spain would make a public announcement at 11:00 AM Havana
time that the three prisoners she had named earlier as well
as Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo would be released today. When
this did not occur, MBR called back stating a First Secretary
at the Spanish Embassy told her that the announcement was
postponed because the Spanish Minister Moratinos wants to
personally make the statement. MBR said that the First
Secretary told her that the four prisoners will travel by

SIPDIS
plane to Spain this weekend.


6. (C) Jorge Luis Garcia Perez ("Antunez") told USINT that
Omar Pernet's sister Marisel said that this week she was told
to bring to the prison in Santa Clara a suitable set of
clothes because officials were bringing Pernet for a medical
check up. However, authorities told the family nothing about
any pending release. Pernet is confined to a wheelchair.
Pernet is the uncle of Antunez's sister.


7. (C) COM confirmed through the Spanish Ambassador to
Cuba, Carlos Alonso Zaldivar that the four prisoners named by
MBR will be traveling on 16 February to Spain. The four are

described as in varying stages of poor health. The
Ambassador stated that the prisoners themselves requested
asylum in Spain and their request was granted. The
Ambassador stated that family members will be allowed to
travel to Spain with the prisoners.


8. (U) In the afternoon of 15 February the news service EFE
reported that Cuban authorities announced the release of the
same four prisoners as well as three others of the group of
75 whose names were not given.


9. (C) Post is following rumors that the prisoners were
told that they had to go to Spain as a condition of release
and that the possibility of relocating was not discussed with
family members. Post will continue to monitor events.


PARMLY