Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO3502
2008-12-24 05:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
EMBASSY TOKYO RESPONSE TO LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #3502/01 3590507 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 240507Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9685 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0026
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003502
SIPDIS
WHA/CCA FOR DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU JA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY TOKYO RESPONSE TO LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW
REF: A. STATE 126578
B. TOKYO 2286
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JAMES ZUMWALT FOR REASON 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003502
SIPDIS
WHA/CCA FOR DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU JA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY TOKYO RESPONSE TO LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW
REF: A. STATE 126578
B. TOKYO 2286
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JAMES ZUMWALT FOR REASON 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) Per request in Ref A, Post provides the following
information, keyed to the specific questions in reftel. Much
of the most recent information results from meetings with
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Mexico and Central AMERICA
Division Cuba Desk Officer Fusae Tsunoda and Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Cuba Desk Officer Hideki
Morimoto.
Q: Has the Host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote
the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? Has
the host country made public statements or undertaken other
governmental actions, such as resolutions in the national
assemblies condemning human rights abuses in Cuba; or actions
in support of civil society in Cuba through host country's
diplomatic missions or other fora.
A: Japan has continued to call for human rights and democracy
in Cuba. In February 2008 on the succession of Raul Castro,
MOFA issued a statement expressing hope that the change in
government will be a step toward democratization in Cuba.
Q: Have there been any high level diplomatic visits between
Cuba and the host country in the past six months?
A: Tsunoda reported no high-level visits have occurred during
the current review period. However, she noted there could be
high-level visits in the coming year, which is the 80th
anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Cuba.
Q: Did the host country offer or deliver humanitarian or
other assistance to the Cuban people in the wake of the major
damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav (August 30) and Ike
(September 8)?
A: On October 24, the GOJ decided to provide $800,000 in
emergency grant aid in response to an appeal from the World
Food Programme. The GOJ also provided assistance amounting
to 59,999 euros (about 9.84 million yen or $100,000 at the
time) for the "Project of Support for Victims of Natural
Disaster in the Special Municipality of the Isla de Juventud"
and 60,000 euros for the "Project of Support for Victims of
Natural Disaster in Pinar del Rio Province" through the GOJ's
Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project. The
total amount of Japanese assistance in the wake of the
hurricanes was 110 million yen (about $1.1 million).
Q: What is the nature of investments (and names, if known)
that host country businesses have in Cuba? What host country
businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair (November 3)?
A: In general, Japan exports medical devices, precision
instruments and consumer electronics to Cuba while importing
seafood and seafood products, cigars, coffee, nickel and
other food items. According to Ministry of Finance data,
Japan's exports to Cuba amounted to 20.1 million yen in 2007,
while imports totaled 1.95 million yen. Exports for the first
ten months of 2008 fell to 5.95 million yen, while imports
held study at 1.23 million yen. The drop in Japan's exports
to Cuba can be attributed to the GOJ-run Nippon Export
Investment Insurance's (NEXI) suspension of underwriting
trade insurance on exports in mid-August due to delays in
payments from the National Bank of Cuba (Ref B). According
to METI's Morimoto, NEXI resumed underwriting export
insurance on December 15 upon an agreement with the National
Bank of Cuba to pay arrears. Most Japanese firms that do
business with Cuba are small to mid-sized trading houses that
depend on NEXI insurance to underwrite their transactions.
As for the Havana Trade Fair, MOFA's Tsunoda said the Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO),sent representatives
from its Mexico City office to the trade fair. Tsunoda was
unaware of specific Japanese firms attending the event.
Morimoto noted the Japan-Cuba Economic Conference, an
industry organization consisting of private firms with
business interests in Cuba, went on a trade mission to Cuba
in early September. The organization's membership includes
mid-sized trading companies.
Q: Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other
cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba?
A: Japan/Cuba trade continues to be governed by the Japan
Cuba Trade Agreement of 1960. METI's Morimoto stated the
countries have not concluded any recent trade or other
cooperative agreements.
Q: Are there any exchange programs between host country and
Cuba, including but not limited to: scholarships for host
country nationals to study in Cuba; Cuban-paid medical travel
for host country nationals; and Cuban doctors working in host
country?
A: Tsunoda reported there are no GOJ-sponsored exchange
programs.
2. (U) Embassy Tokyo point of contact for follow-up inquiries
is Ed Luchessi, Economic Officer, LuchessiEP@state.gov.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
WHA/CCA FOR DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU JA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY TOKYO RESPONSE TO LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW
REF: A. STATE 126578
B. TOKYO 2286
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JAMES ZUMWALT FOR REASON 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) Per request in Ref A, Post provides the following
information, keyed to the specific questions in reftel. Much
of the most recent information results from meetings with
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Mexico and Central AMERICA
Division Cuba Desk Officer Fusae Tsunoda and Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Cuba Desk Officer Hideki
Morimoto.
Q: Has the Host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote
the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? Has
the host country made public statements or undertaken other
governmental actions, such as resolutions in the national
assemblies condemning human rights abuses in Cuba; or actions
in support of civil society in Cuba through host country's
diplomatic missions or other fora.
A: Japan has continued to call for human rights and democracy
in Cuba. In February 2008 on the succession of Raul Castro,
MOFA issued a statement expressing hope that the change in
government will be a step toward democratization in Cuba.
Q: Have there been any high level diplomatic visits between
Cuba and the host country in the past six months?
A: Tsunoda reported no high-level visits have occurred during
the current review period. However, she noted there could be
high-level visits in the coming year, which is the 80th
anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Cuba.
Q: Did the host country offer or deliver humanitarian or
other assistance to the Cuban people in the wake of the major
damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav (August 30) and Ike
(September 8)?
A: On October 24, the GOJ decided to provide $800,000 in
emergency grant aid in response to an appeal from the World
Food Programme. The GOJ also provided assistance amounting
to 59,999 euros (about 9.84 million yen or $100,000 at the
time) for the "Project of Support for Victims of Natural
Disaster in the Special Municipality of the Isla de Juventud"
and 60,000 euros for the "Project of Support for Victims of
Natural Disaster in Pinar del Rio Province" through the GOJ's
Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project. The
total amount of Japanese assistance in the wake of the
hurricanes was 110 million yen (about $1.1 million).
Q: What is the nature of investments (and names, if known)
that host country businesses have in Cuba? What host country
businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair (November 3)?
A: In general, Japan exports medical devices, precision
instruments and consumer electronics to Cuba while importing
seafood and seafood products, cigars, coffee, nickel and
other food items. According to Ministry of Finance data,
Japan's exports to Cuba amounted to 20.1 million yen in 2007,
while imports totaled 1.95 million yen. Exports for the first
ten months of 2008 fell to 5.95 million yen, while imports
held study at 1.23 million yen. The drop in Japan's exports
to Cuba can be attributed to the GOJ-run Nippon Export
Investment Insurance's (NEXI) suspension of underwriting
trade insurance on exports in mid-August due to delays in
payments from the National Bank of Cuba (Ref B). According
to METI's Morimoto, NEXI resumed underwriting export
insurance on December 15 upon an agreement with the National
Bank of Cuba to pay arrears. Most Japanese firms that do
business with Cuba are small to mid-sized trading houses that
depend on NEXI insurance to underwrite their transactions.
As for the Havana Trade Fair, MOFA's Tsunoda said the Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO),sent representatives
from its Mexico City office to the trade fair. Tsunoda was
unaware of specific Japanese firms attending the event.
Morimoto noted the Japan-Cuba Economic Conference, an
industry organization consisting of private firms with
business interests in Cuba, went on a trade mission to Cuba
in early September. The organization's membership includes
mid-sized trading companies.
Q: Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other
cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba?
A: Japan/Cuba trade continues to be governed by the Japan
Cuba Trade Agreement of 1960. METI's Morimoto stated the
countries have not concluded any recent trade or other
cooperative agreements.
Q: Are there any exchange programs between host country and
Cuba, including but not limited to: scholarships for host
country nationals to study in Cuba; Cuban-paid medical travel
for host country nationals; and Cuban doctors working in host
country?
A: Tsunoda reported there are no GOJ-sponsored exchange
programs.
2. (U) Embassy Tokyo point of contact for follow-up inquiries
is Ed Luchessi, Economic Officer, LuchessiEP@state.gov.
ZUMWALT