Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NASSAU405
2008-05-23 17:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

BAHAMAS REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF LIBERTAD ACT

Tags:  ETRD ETTC PREL CU BF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBH #0405/01 1441715
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 231715Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5480
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000405 

SIPDIS

WHA/CCA FOR DAVID MCFARLAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU BF
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF LIBERTAD ACT
TITLE III

REF: STATE 52541

Classified By: Charge Elmo for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000405

SIPDIS

WHA/CCA FOR DAVID MCFARLAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU BF
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF LIBERTAD ACT
TITLE III

REF: STATE 52541

Classified By: Charge Elmo for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Post recommends waiver of the provisions of
Title III of the Libertad Act for The Bahamas. The Bahamas
has had a cordial relationship with Cuba, has supported Cuba
in international fora, and has engaged in both cultural and
economic exchanges with Cuba, including promotion of Cuban
trade. The Bahamian government under Prime Minister Hubert
Ingraham has a more skeptical approach, but has not
downgraded relations with Cuba from a full Embassy to a
Consulate, as intimated before May 2, 2007 elections. There
were no notable developments in the relationship with Cuba in
the last six months. The extremely close bilateral
cooperation between The Bahamas and the U.S. in drug
interdiction, alien interdiction, anti-terrorism and border
security merits a waiver of the provisions of the Libertad
Act. END SUMMARY.

Bahamas-Cuba Diplomatic Relations
--------------


2. (C) The Governments of The Bahamas and Cuba have
maintained cordial relations. There have been no
known high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and The
Bahamas in the past six months. The Bahamas justifies the
need for its relations by citing the need to provide consular
services, to address bilateral migration issues, and to
promote trade and travel. The Bahamian government has also
noted the need for close relations to avoid repetition of
incidents such as the 1980 sinking by Cuban forces of a
Bahamian Defense Force vessel resulting in the deaths of
several Bahamian sailors. Like the U.S., the Bahamian
government works with Cuba to combat drug and migrant
trafficking. The Government of Cuba maintains an embassy in
Nassau, and a new Ambassador was accredited in late August

2007.


3. (C) Illegal migration to The Bahamas from Haiti and Cuba
is one of the country's biggest political issues. Illegal
Cuban migrants interdicted in Bahamian waters are detained in
Nassau, and the repatriation process is lengthy and
expensive. Controversies surrounding the presence of Cuban
migrants in The Bahamas occasionally arise, and the GCOB sees
a pragmatic need to maintain a relationship with Cuba to
manage repatriation and any concomitant international
complications.

Business and Cultural Exchanges
--------------


4. (C) Direct Bahamian investment in Cuba is minimal given
The Bahamas' exchange controls, limited scope for
international investment among Bahamian businesses, and the
country's economic dependence on the United States. Third
country investment in Cuba via Bahamian financial
institutions is likely, but unknown. According to the GCOB,
The Bahamas imported $1.6 million in Cuban goods in 2005,
with few to no exports. There are currently no bilateral
trade agreements in force.


5. (C) There is a Havantur office in Nassau and Cuban de
Aviacion offers direct flights to Havana from Nassau.
According to the GCOB, approximately 20,000 Bahamians visit
Cuba each year. Approximately 150 Bahamian
students study in Cuba on scholarship, and 26 Cuban teachers
were reportedly contracted to teach math and science in the
Bahamian school system in the 2007-08 school year as part of
an educational exchange. Other Cuban teachers also work
closely with the GCOB, particularly in the area of special
education. Approximately 600 Bahamians received Cuban-paid
health care in Cuba last year. An unknown number of Cuban
doctors work in The Bahamas to provide thousands of Bahamians
with health care. Last year Cuban doctors provided
approximately 1,750 eye exams to Bahamians in The Bahamas.

Bahamian Support for Human Rights
--------------


6. (C) The Bahamas has worked to promote the advancement of
democracy and human rights in Cuba, though more could be
done. The Bahamian Government which took office following
May 2, 2007 elections did not downgrade Bahamian relations
with Cuba but has supported human rights in international
fora. The Bahamas supported all U.S.-sponsored
country-specific resolutions in the UNGA Third Committee in
late 2007, in a departure from previous practice, and has not
made any other overtures to the Cuban government. The
Bahamas has in the past typically voted as a block with

CARICOM and the NAM in international fora, and continues to
oppose the U.S. embargo of Cuba.

Recommendation for Waiver
--------------


7. (C) In light of the extremely close on-going bilateral
cooperation between the U.S. and The Bahamas in drug
interdiction, alien interdiction, anti-terrorism, and border
security matters, and in light of the new government's more
skeptical approach to relations with Cuba, Post believes The
Bahamas should continue to be granted a waiver from
implementation of Title III of the Libertad Act.
ELMO