Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON1236
2008-05-23 17:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL SPRING REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHLI #1236 1441718 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 231718Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6846 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0048
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001236
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SPRING REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III
OF THE LIBERTAD ACT
REF: SECSTATE 52541
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Political-Econ Officer, Embassy
Lisbon Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001236
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SPRING REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III
OF THE LIBERTAD ACT
REF: SECSTATE 52541
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Political-Econ Officer, Embassy
Lisbon Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) Portuguese MFA's Officer Director for Latin America
Joao Batista confirmed that Portugal's relationship with Cuba
remained unchanged. He responded to reftel questions with
updated information for the Title III Suspension of Libertad
Act report.
2. (C) The Portuguese hold firmly to the principles of
protecting human rights and promoting transition to democracy
in Cuba. Batista welcomed information on the President's
remarks in observance of the Day of Solidarity on May 21. He
explained that the GOP had not marked the day since it did
not want to direct criticism specifically against Cuba when
other nations were also guilty of similar human rights
abuses. While the GOP continues to call for Cuba to protect
human rights, Batista allowed that Portugal would be willing
to consider removing the EU's suspended 2003 sanctions
completely to encourage Cuban progress if others in the EU
suggested it.
3. (C) Economic activity between Portugal and Cuba is very
limited and mainly centered on the tourism and import/export
sectors. Batista said he did not know of any Portuguese
companies that had significant business in Cuba. The
Portuguese did not initiate any new trade agreements with
Cuba over the last year and Batista confirmed that Portugal
has not had any active cultural exchange programs with Cuba
since the imposition of the EU's sanctions. There have been
no high-level bilateral visits over the last six months.
4. (C) Comment: Batista underscored that Portugal viewed the
human rights situation to remain unchanged under Raul Castro
and that Portugal's policy also had not changed. Although
Batista's comments implied a "flexibility" in discussions
regarding sanctions in June's working group meeting on Latin
America (COLAT),it was clear that Portugal would not lead
the call to remove sanctions. Portugal would at most support
other nations (such as Spain) if it was clear that a majority
would agree to remove sanctions. End comment.
Stephenson
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SPRING REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III
OF THE LIBERTAD ACT
REF: SECSTATE 52541
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Political-Econ Officer, Embassy
Lisbon Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) Portuguese MFA's Officer Director for Latin America
Joao Batista confirmed that Portugal's relationship with Cuba
remained unchanged. He responded to reftel questions with
updated information for the Title III Suspension of Libertad
Act report.
2. (C) The Portuguese hold firmly to the principles of
protecting human rights and promoting transition to democracy
in Cuba. Batista welcomed information on the President's
remarks in observance of the Day of Solidarity on May 21. He
explained that the GOP had not marked the day since it did
not want to direct criticism specifically against Cuba when
other nations were also guilty of similar human rights
abuses. While the GOP continues to call for Cuba to protect
human rights, Batista allowed that Portugal would be willing
to consider removing the EU's suspended 2003 sanctions
completely to encourage Cuban progress if others in the EU
suggested it.
3. (C) Economic activity between Portugal and Cuba is very
limited and mainly centered on the tourism and import/export
sectors. Batista said he did not know of any Portuguese
companies that had significant business in Cuba. The
Portuguese did not initiate any new trade agreements with
Cuba over the last year and Batista confirmed that Portugal
has not had any active cultural exchange programs with Cuba
since the imposition of the EU's sanctions. There have been
no high-level bilateral visits over the last six months.
4. (C) Comment: Batista underscored that Portugal viewed the
human rights situation to remain unchanged under Raul Castro
and that Portugal's policy also had not changed. Although
Batista's comments implied a "flexibility" in discussions
regarding sanctions in June's working group meeting on Latin
America (COLAT),it was clear that Portugal would not lead
the call to remove sanctions. Portugal would at most support
other nations (such as Spain) if it was clear that a majority
would agree to remove sanctions. End comment.
Stephenson