MAY 21: DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN PEOPLE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000456

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/BSC, WHA/

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL CU CI
SUBJECT: MAY 21: DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN PEOPLE

REFTEL: A) STATE 51536
B) SANTIAGO 412
C) STATE 46997
D) STATE 45792


1. (U) In response to reftel A request, Post provides the following
activities to promote Cuba Solidarity Day:

--DVC with a senior USG official and Chilean media to highlight Cuba
Solidarity Day, and increase awareness in Chile about the plight of
Cuba's prisoners of conscience and drum up support for democracy in
Cuba (Note: Post is coordinating with WHA/PDA.);

--Host on the Embassy's radio show (broadcasted on over 100 Chilean
radio stations throughout the country) international affairs
commentator Libardo Buitrago and Julio Cesar Montes (a Cuban exile
residing in Chile) to discuss the political situation in Cuba;

--Provide Chilean Congress, political parties, think tanks, NGOs and
government officials information on Cuba Solidarity Day, and
encourage them to highlight it;

--Place an op-ed in Chilean print media.

-- Provide Chilean media an information packet on Cuba Solidarity
Day; and,

--Post on the Embassy website USG events and activities in support
of Cuba Solidarity Day.


2. (SBU) One Foreign Ministry official recently reiterated to POLOFF
that the Chilean government is not planning to promote Cuba
Solidarity Day (ref. b).


3. (U) Post reminds the Department that May 21 is a national holiday
in Chile. Therefore, Post will make every effort to undertake these
activities before this date.

URBAN