JAPAN WILL ISSUE STATEMENT ON DEMOCRACY IN CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000493 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL CU JA SUBJECT: JAPAN WILL ISSUE STATEMENT ON DEMOCRACY IN CUBA REF: STATE 018306 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) DCM contacted MOFA Director General of North American Affairs Shinichi Nishimiya and Deputy Director General for Latin American Affairs Masahi Mizukami separately February ¶24. Drawing from reftel points, he urged the government of Japan to publicly express the need for real democracy and freedom in Cuba. The appearance of democratic elections are for international consumption more than they are a sign of real change, and now is a critical opportunity for Japan to issue a public statement supporting meaningful transformation in Cuba, the DCM told the officials. ¶2. (C) Mizukami's deputy called the Embassy February 25 to report that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would issue a statement that evening noting the change in Cuba's leadership and expressing "hope for progress" on democracy and human rights. SCHIEFFER