Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS1351
2008-07-16 15:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR STAPLETON PRESSES FRENCH MFA ON CUBA
how-toVZCZCXRO9105 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #1351 1981555 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161555Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3812 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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
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
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