Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ROME651
2008-05-22 13:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE
how-toVZCZCXRO0850 OO RUEHFL RUEHNP RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #0651 1431325 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221325Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0356 INFO RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN PRIORITY 0778 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 9391 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 3051 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 3201
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000651
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE
LIBERTAD ACT
REF: STATE 52541
Classified By: A/Pol M/C Jonathan R. Cohen, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000651
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE
LIBERTAD ACT
REF: STATE 52541
Classified By: A/Pol M/C Jonathan R. Cohen, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (U) This is post's response to reftel request for updated
information necessary for the President's consideration of
continued suspension of Title III of the LIBERTAD Act.
2. (C) There has been no significant change in Italian
relations with Cuba over the past six months. There were no
high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and Italy during
this period. The Italian Embassy in Havana continued to meet
with opposition leaders as part of Italy's two-track approach
to engage both Cuban government officials and the opposition.
Italy did not participate in exchange programs with Cuba.
There was no significant change in the level of Italian
investment, joint ventures, or tourism in Cuba. The most
substantial Italian investment in Cuba remained Telecom
Italia's ownership stake in Etecsa, the Cuban telecom
monopoly.
3. (C) The newly-elected GOI responded favorably to our
approach regarding the May 21 "Day of Solidary with the Cuban
People." FM Frattini, Senate President Schifani, and Chamber
President Fini all made public statements, which expressed
support for the Cuban people's struggle for freedom, called
on the Cuban government to respect fundamental human rights,
and encouraged "concrete gestures on behalf of political
prisoners."
4. (C) Comment: Embassy Rome recommends the continuation of
Italy's waiver under Title III of the LIBERTAD Act, as we
believe it helps Italy maintain positions critical of the
Cuban regime.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE
LIBERTAD ACT
REF: STATE 52541
Classified By: A/Pol M/C Jonathan R. Cohen, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (U) This is post's response to reftel request for updated
information necessary for the President's consideration of
continued suspension of Title III of the LIBERTAD Act.
2. (C) There has been no significant change in Italian
relations with Cuba over the past six months. There were no
high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and Italy during
this period. The Italian Embassy in Havana continued to meet
with opposition leaders as part of Italy's two-track approach
to engage both Cuban government officials and the opposition.
Italy did not participate in exchange programs with Cuba.
There was no significant change in the level of Italian
investment, joint ventures, or tourism in Cuba. The most
substantial Italian investment in Cuba remained Telecom
Italia's ownership stake in Etecsa, the Cuban telecom
monopoly.
3. (C) The newly-elected GOI responded favorably to our
approach regarding the May 21 "Day of Solidary with the Cuban
People." FM Frattini, Senate President Schifani, and Chamber
President Fini all made public statements, which expressed
support for the Cuban people's struggle for freedom, called
on the Cuban government to respect fundamental human rights,
and encouraged "concrete gestures on behalf of political
prisoners."
4. (C) Comment: Embassy Rome recommends the continuation of
Italy's waiver under Title III of the LIBERTAD Act, as we
believe it helps Italy maintain positions critical of the
Cuban regime.
SPOGLI