Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN565
2008-12-10 15:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
FOREIGN MINISTER MUSES ABOUT CUBA ATTENDING THE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSP #0565 3451500 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101500Z DEC 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR PRIORITY 0586 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9577 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000565
SIPDIS
SAN SALVADOR FOR USOAS AMBASSADOR MORALES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON CU TD
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER MUSES ABOUT CUBA ATTENDING THE
SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
Classified By: Classified by CDA Len Kusnitz;
Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000565
SIPDIS
SAN SALVADOR FOR USOAS AMBASSADOR MORALES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON CU TD
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER MUSES ABOUT CUBA ATTENDING THE
SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
Classified By: Classified by CDA Len Kusnitz;
Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, in a December 9
press interview (done by phone from Barbados),related that
the just-concluded Cuba-CARICOM summit held in Havana had
agreed the USG should lift its "trade embargo" on Cuba. She
added, without specificity, that this "general consensus"
would be conveyed to the incoming Administration. She also
noted that Trinidad and Tobago had agreed to host the next
Cuba-CARICOM event in 2011.
2. (U) The FM then speculated about a possible dialogue
between the USG and Cuba after January 20, one that might
lead to Raul Castro attending the April Summit of the
Americas (SOA) meeting. According to the press report, the
FM stated that Cuba is "a member of the OAS but they have
never attended any of the conferences and I am sure the new
(U.S.) administration would be more open. I think if there
is a change, they would be attending the Summit."
3. (C) Comment: GOTT officials occasionally have privately
floated the notion of Cuba attending the SOA, but also have
made clear that no invitation would be forthcoming absent USG
agreement. The FM may be reflecting discussions in Havana
about the upcoming Summit, but her remarks (suggesting the
"change" that would allow Cuban attendance would have to come
from the U.S.) are also consistent with this past enunciated
stance.
KUSNITZ
SIPDIS
SAN SALVADOR FOR USOAS AMBASSADOR MORALES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON CU TD
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER MUSES ABOUT CUBA ATTENDING THE
SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
Classified By: Classified by CDA Len Kusnitz;
Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, in a December 9
press interview (done by phone from Barbados),related that
the just-concluded Cuba-CARICOM summit held in Havana had
agreed the USG should lift its "trade embargo" on Cuba. She
added, without specificity, that this "general consensus"
would be conveyed to the incoming Administration. She also
noted that Trinidad and Tobago had agreed to host the next
Cuba-CARICOM event in 2011.
2. (U) The FM then speculated about a possible dialogue
between the USG and Cuba after January 20, one that might
lead to Raul Castro attending the April Summit of the
Americas (SOA) meeting. According to the press report, the
FM stated that Cuba is "a member of the OAS but they have
never attended any of the conferences and I am sure the new
(U.S.) administration would be more open. I think if there
is a change, they would be attending the Summit."
3. (C) Comment: GOTT officials occasionally have privately
floated the notion of Cuba attending the SOA, but also have
made clear that no invitation would be forthcoming absent USG
agreement. The FM may be reflecting discussions in Havana
about the upcoming Summit, but her remarks (suggesting the
"change" that would allow Cuban attendance would have to come
from the U.S.) are also consistent with this past enunciated
stance.
KUSNITZ