AMBASSADOR STAPLETON PRESSES FRENCH MFA ON CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001351 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2017 TAGS: PREL FR PGOV SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR STAPLETON PRESSES FRENCH MFA ON CUBA AND NEW EU HUMAN RIGHTS BENCHMARKS REF: SECSTATE 074378 Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen H. Allegrone for reasons 1. 4 (B & D). (C) On July 15, Ambassador Stapleton drew on reftel to press newly-installed French MFA Americas Director Elizabeth Beton-Delegue on European Union (EU) policy in Cuba, especially regarding Cuba's adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Beton-Delegue said that the GOF and the EU have relatively low expectations for short-term improvements in Cuba's human rights record as a result the EU decision to lift sanctions. With the lifting of the sanctions, Beton-Delegue said the Europeans removed Havana's political excuse to refuse a human rights dialogue or actions to improve the human rights situation in Cuba. On the way forward, Beton-Delegue asserted the GOF and EU would continue to take a pragmatic approach to Cuba and agreed Havana must take concrete steps to improve human rights practices by following through on the important obligations of the Covenant, especially the release of political prisoners. If Cuba does not respond favorably to the EU decision, then, she said, the EU would have to rethink its position. She noted however that decision-making amongst the EU-27 could be difficult with regards to Cuba. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce STAPLETON