CUBAN FM SIGNS MIGRATION MOU WITH MEXICO, RECEIVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 003175

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2028
TAGS: PREL SMIG KCRM PHUM PINR MX
SUBJECT: CUBAN FM SIGNS MIGRATION MOU WITH MEXICO, RECEIVES
WARM WELCOME

MEXICO 00003175 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay.
Reason: 1.4 (b),(d).


1. (U) Summary. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque
visited Mexico October 19-22 signing a bilateral migration
accord and extending an invitation to President Calderon to
visit Cuba. Both sides took pains to put behind them the ill
will that characterized relations during the Fox
administration and to welcome prospects for expanding
cooperation, particularly on economic issues. Mexico's
Senate offered Perez Roque a warm welcome by passing
unanimously a motion calling on Mexico's Foreign Ministry to
support the annual UN resolution that condemns the U.S.
economic blockade on Cuba. PAN's President German Martinez
affirmed his party would continue to promote greater respect
for human rights in Cuba but not in a manner that would be
seen as an imposition on Cuba. In responding to press
queries during her own visit to Mexico this same week
regarding a joint Cuban-Mexican declaration blaming U.S.
policies for stimulating the flow of illegal Cubans through
Mexico, Secretary Rice told journalists that Cuba's own
repressive policies were responsible for compelling many of
its own citizens to leave. End Summary.

Putting the Past Behind Them


2. (U) Genuine animosity characterized Cuban-Mexican
relations throughout much of the Fox administration from
2000-2006. When former President Fox requested Fidel Castro
to "eat and leave" in the course of a UN Development Summit
in Monterrey in 2002, relations took a particular turn for
the worse. In 2004, then PAN Deputy German Martinez referred
to Cuba as "despotic" in the course of a debate in Congress.
Both countries recalled their ambassadors just barely
stepping back from the brink of breaking off relations.


3. (U) Perez Roque's warm reception this past week by
contrast represents a concerted effort on the part of both
sides to normalize relations. Senator Santiago Creel served
as Fox's Secretary of Government when Mexico's relations with
Cuba soured. However, when the two met at the Senate, Perez
Roque made a point of shaking Creel's hand and announcing to
the press that this gesture symbolized the mutual respect
that now characterized Cuban-Mexican relations.

Tackling the Migration Problem


4. (U) Ostensibly, Perez Roque visited Mexico to sign an
MOU on migration matters with his counterpart from Mexico
Secretary of Foreign Relations (SRE) Patricia Espinosa. Last
year, Mexican authorities detained over 3,000 illegal Cubans;
thus far in 2008, they have detained over 1,200. In recent
years, Cuba has agreed to take back a mere fraction prompting
the GOM to release most who then resume their trip north to
the U.S. border. Under the terms of Cuba's MOU with Mexico,
Cuba has agreed for the first time to take back not only
those Cubans who entered Mexico illegally directly from Cuba
but also those that enter via Central America. Secretary of
Government Juan Mourino said the agreement would serve to
create a framework for legal, safe, ordered, and safe
migration. Perez Roque conveyed his government's commitment
to implement the accord, notwithstanding some skepticism
raised by a clause that allows Cuba to refuse taking back
those migrants it regards as a "security or health" risk.


5. (C) As a condition for signing this agreement, Cuba
insisted Mexico join it in blaming U.S. migration policies
for "stimulating" this flow of Cubans through Mexico to the
U.S. Mexico told us it refused to include such language in
the MOU itself but agreed to make a public declaration to
this end at the signature ceremony. Mexico, however, found
itself in an uncomfortable position when Secretary Rice's
visit was scheduled later in the same week of Perez Roque's
trip to Mexico. Mexico took pains to explain to emboffs its
efforts to dilute the impact of its joining Cuba in
criticizing U.S. policies toward Cuba. Perez Roque took
advantage of available opportunities to foist blame on U.S.
policies for Cuba's problems but also told the press that
"despite everything, Cuba was looking to develop a new
relationship with the U.S. based on respect."

Guess Who's Invited to Cuba?

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6. (C) Perez Roque had an hour long meeting with President
Calderon during which he extended Calderon an invitation on
behalf of Cuban President Raul Castro to visit Cuba. SRE
officials told Deputy PolCouns that the President had
accepted but that as his agenda into the coming year was
quite full no date had yet been set. Calderon applauded
Mexico's MOU with Cuba remarking it would expand security for
both countries' citizens, reduce illegal immigration, and
strengthen efforts to combat trafficking in persons. The
President's communiquQ emerging from the meeting celebrated
the reactivization of bilateral mechanisms between the two
countries characterized by a spirit of mutual respect.
Already, the two sides were benefiting from the process of
normalization with an 80 percent increase in trade from
January to August compared with the same period last year.

Making the Rounds


7. (U) Over the course of his visit, Perez Roque met with a
variety of private groups including the Mexican business
community, Mexican-Cuban solidarity groups, and members of
the Cuban exile community. In his meeting with Perez Roque,
Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard professed his "admiration"
for the Cuban revolution and his respect for Cuba's "capacity
to choose its own destiny." Perez Roque also held several
meetings with Congressional groups including the Mexican
Congress' steering committee and the executive committees of
Mexico's major political parties. PAN President German
Martinez -- the same German Martinez who described Cuba as
"despotic" four years ago -- conveyed his view that Mexico
should build a constructive relationship with Cuba looking to
the future and not the past. He announced that he was
prepared to visit Cuba and meet members of Cuba's Communist
Party. He remarked to the press that while his party sought
cordial relations with Cuba, it would not desist from
promoting human rights and democracy, albeit in a way not
perceived as an imposition on Cuba. Mexico's Senate used the
occasion of Perez Roque's protocolary visit to interrupt its
regular proceedings and adopt a unanimous motion calling upon
Mexico's SRE to support the UN resolution condemning the U.S.
economic blockade of Cuba. (Note: Mexico has supported that
resolution every year since its inception. End Note.)

Where Do They Go From Here?


8. (U) Beyond a desire to reactivate an Education and
Cultural Commission, both sides stressed their commitment to
expanding cooperation in the context of existing but long
neglected mechanisms for economic cooperation including an
Intergovernmental Commission and an Agreement for the
Protection and Promotion of Investment. Mexico spoke of its
desire to use the former to lower tariffs and expand trade.
SRE officials told Deputy PolCouns that trade between Mexico
and Cuba presently amounts to some $250 million but Mexico
would like to expand trade to $1 billion. Given "unorthodox"
Cuban business practices and some lingering concern about
potential U.S. penalties, much of the Mexican business
community remained reluctant to move quickly. Perez Roque
insisted Cuba was open to investment and identified some
areas such as tourism, energy, petroleum, and agriculture as
particularly attractive.


9. (C) Comment. Mexican SRE officials suggested the U.S.
view Mexico's efforts to normalize relations with Cuba in the
context of initiatives on the part of the European Union and
European Community to improve their relationship with Cuba.
Mexico hopes its migration accord with Cuba will reduce the
flow of illegal Cubans using Mexico as a bridge to the U.S.
but recognizes Cuban compliance is hardly a foregone
conclusion. Equally important, Mexico seeks to build on its
strengthened relationship with Cuba to expand trade and
investment with the island. Mexican officials insist human
rights will remain a component in relations but also said
Mexico intends to raise this matter in the context of shared
multilateral commitments signaling clearly their intention to
tread lightly.
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
GARZA