CUBA QUERIES DELAY IN VISA ISSUANCE FOR FORMER

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000228 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR IO/UNP - S. EDMONDSON, WHA/CCA - B. WILLIAMS, CA/VO/P/D - C. MUNTEAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP PREL CVISU CU SUBJECT: CUBA QUERIES DELAY IN VISA ISSUANCE FOR FORMER HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REF: USUN NEW YORK 00194 ¶1. (SBU/NOFORN) Action request - USUN seeks Department's guidance in replying to the Cuban Mission regarding the delay in visa issuance to diplomat and former Cuban represenative on the UN Committee on Relations with the Host Country--a/k/a the Host Country Committee),Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez (6 May 1956, Cuba). Cuba MUN alleges that Cuba's MFA requested a visa from USINT Havana through a note verbale (No. 058) dated Janaury 24, 2008 that was presented to USINT Havana on January 29. The visa was requested so that Mrs Ramos could attend two official UN meetings at UN HQ in NYC: 1) The Ad Hoc Committee established by UN GA Resolution 51/210 meeting February 25-26 and again on March 6; and 2) the Session of the Special Committee on the UN Charter to be held Feb 27 - March 7. According to CCD records, the SAO clearance for the applicant was issued only on Febrary 27, thus making it impossible for the diplomat to attend the first two days of the first official UN meeting above. ¶2. (SBU/NOFORN) Comment: When USUN Host Country asked the current Cuban representative on the Host Country Committee why she had waited until late Friday afternoon on February 22 to contact USUN regarding the lack of visa issuance, she replied that Cuba had observed that the U.S. often does not issue visas for Cuban officials coming to the UN until the last possible moment, and Cuba was hoping to have the visa issued by Friday, February 22. Although Cuba has thus far complained only orally and we have not received a formal diplomatic note protesting the delay in visa issuance, we fully expect the Cubans to raise this case at the next Host Country Committee meeting, probably in rebutting USUN after Cuba raises its formal protest concerning the delay in visa issuance to Cuban governmental expert Jose Rufino Menendez Hernandez (reftel). End comment. KHALILZAD