Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE197
2008-02-29 11:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/CUBA: MICHEL VISIT FOLLOWS EU POLICY,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0625 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0197 0601154 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 291154Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1152 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0059 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0631
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000197
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: MICHEL VISIT FOLLOWS EU POLICY,
SAY DUTCH
REF: SECSTATE 20108
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.5(b) and
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000197
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: MICHEL VISIT FOLLOWS EU POLICY,
SAY DUTCH
REF: SECSTATE 20108
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.5(b) and
(d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: On February 29, 2008 poloff delivered reftel
points to Laurent Stokvis, Director of Western Hemisphere
Affairs, Senior Policy Adviser Jan Jaap Groenemeijer, and
Policy Officer Sergei Boeke. The Dutch continue to support
EU policy of engagement toward Cuba, and the Michel visit
complies with that policy, but the Dutch will follow the
situation on the ground to see if changes are warranted. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) Stokvis stated that he wanted to "reiterate" that the
EU and the United States share the same goal: a Cuba that
respects human rights, releases political prisoners and moves
peacefully to democracy with real elections. The Dutch will
continue to follow EU policy, most recently reaffirmed in
June 2007. There is "no difference" to our aims. At the
same time, the Dutch continue to disagree with the
extraterritorial reach of the the Helms-Burton law.
3. (C) Stokvis said that the visit by Commissioner Michel is
completely in line with EU policy. The Dutch expect Michel
to discuss the full range of issues, including human rights,
during the visit. Michel will also meet with EU heads of
mission in Havana to assess the situation. Asked about a
future direction for Dutch and EU Cuba policy, Stokvis said
they would follow the situation on the ground. Michel's
report on his visit will be key.
Arnall
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: MICHEL VISIT FOLLOWS EU POLICY,
SAY DUTCH
REF: SECSTATE 20108
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.5(b) and
(d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: On February 29, 2008 poloff delivered reftel
points to Laurent Stokvis, Director of Western Hemisphere
Affairs, Senior Policy Adviser Jan Jaap Groenemeijer, and
Policy Officer Sergei Boeke. The Dutch continue to support
EU policy of engagement toward Cuba, and the Michel visit
complies with that policy, but the Dutch will follow the
situation on the ground to see if changes are warranted. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) Stokvis stated that he wanted to "reiterate" that the
EU and the United States share the same goal: a Cuba that
respects human rights, releases political prisoners and moves
peacefully to democracy with real elections. The Dutch will
continue to follow EU policy, most recently reaffirmed in
June 2007. There is "no difference" to our aims. At the
same time, the Dutch continue to disagree with the
extraterritorial reach of the the Helms-Burton law.
3. (C) Stokvis said that the visit by Commissioner Michel is
completely in line with EU policy. The Dutch expect Michel
to discuss the full range of issues, including human rights,
during the visit. Michel will also meet with EU heads of
mission in Havana to assess the situation. Asked about a
future direction for Dutch and EU Cuba policy, Stokvis said
they would follow the situation on the ground. Michel's
report on his visit will be key.
Arnall