MAY 21 - DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN PEOPLE

UNCLAS MADRID 000493 SIPDIS FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL EUN CU SP SUBJECT: MAY 21 - DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN PEOPLE REF: A. STATE 45792 ¶B. STATE 46997 ¶C. MADRID 283 ¶D. MADRID 467 ¶1. In response to refs a and b, Post conducts a vigorous, ongoing program of outreach to the Cuban dissident community here in Spain as well as a steady public diplomacy effort designed to build support for peaceful democratic change in Cuba. All this is of course in addition to steady engagement with the GOS on the subject of Cuba, the focal point of which is urging that the GOS seek concrete democratic change in its dialogue with the GOC and that it not fail to engage civil society and the dissident community in Cuba. ¶2. To summarize recent activity, in March, the Ambassador published an op-ed on the need for meaningful transition in Cuba. He stressed the need for the EU to show solidarity with the Cuban people, not with the dictatorial government. Also in March (and as detailed in ref c),we hosted a visit by Elsa Morejon, wife of imprisoned dissident Dr. Oscar Biscet. Ms. Morejon stayed at the Ambassador's residence, and we facilitated a meeting with MFA Secretary of State for Iberoamerica Trinidad Jimenez as well as with former President Aznar. We also arranged encounters with the press (ABC and Epoca). Also in March, the Ambassador hosted a coffee at his residence for Cuban dissidents, including four recently-released prisoners (Omar Pernet, Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, and Alejandro Gonzales Raga). In April, we hosted visits by Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry (ref d) and WHA Assistant Secretary Tom Shannon (septel),both of which provided excellent opportunities for engagement on Cuba in a variety of public and private settings. ¶3. Post will continue its aggressive engagement on the issue of Cuba and intends to place an op-ed on the occasion of May ¶21. In that regard, we would appreciate any building blocks the Department could provide, in particular with regards to tailoring the public diplomacy message regarding the EU common position and the restrictive measures, where the U.S. and Spain are moving in different directions. In addition, the Charge d'Affaires plans to host an event for the Cuban dissident community in Spain in observance of May 21. Llorens