WFUNA COMPLAINT RE DENIAL OF VISA FOR CUBAN

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000292 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/UNP - S.EDMONDSON, WHA/CCA - B.WILLIAMS, CA/VO/P/D - C.MUNTEAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP PREL CVIS CU SUBJECT: WFUNA COMPLAINT RE DENIAL OF VISA FOR CUBAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER/FORMER AMBASSADOR REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 00194 ¶B. USUN NEW YORK 00228 ¶1. Action Request: Department's guidance is requested in replying to the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)'s MarQ 27, 2008, letter to the U.S. Representative to the UN, Ambassador Khalilzad (text in paragraph 3 below). ¶2. WFUNA has complained to Ambassador Khalilzad concerning the refusal of visas to two Cuban nationals who were expected to attend the organization's recent meeting in NYC. One of the nationals, Carlos Amat-Fores, is a member of WFUNA's Executive Committee and is a retired Cuban Ambassador to the UN. Prior to the refusal of the visas, the Cuba desk had asked USUN to confirm the dates of the WFUNA meeting. USUN contacted WFUNA, confirmed the dates and invitees, and relayed the information to the Cuba desk. Since the the visas were refused, USUN has received calls from WFUNA at various levels. In its letter WFUNA cites the visa denials as causing WFUNA to hold future meetings outside of US territory. ¶3. WFUNA Exec.Committee Chairman Sen's March 27, 2008, letter to Ambassador Khalilzad Begin text-- Your Excellency, We would like to bring to your attention that Ambassador Carlos Amat-Fores, a long standing member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA),has been refused a visa to enter the United States. He was expected to participate in our Executive Committee Meeting being held at the UN premises in New York, on the 28-29 March 2008. All members of the Executive Committee join with me in expressing our disappointment in the strongest possible terms. WFUNA's membership deems it unacceptable that a widely respected member of WFUNA's Executive Committee be refused clearance to participate in such a vital meeting for the program of work for the organization. Carlos Amat-Fores, a retired Ambassador of Cuba to the UN, has been an active and invaluable member of WFUNA's Executive Committee since 2003 and was reelected to the Committee, at the 38th Plenary Assembly in Buenos Aires, in 2006. Ambassador Carlos Amat-Fores has participated actively in all WFUNA's Executive Committee meetings held outside US territory and was able to participate in WFUNA's Executive Committee meetings held in the United States in the past. A people's movement for the United Nations, founded in 1946 and currently counting over 100 members worldwide, WFUNA works to make the United Nations more relevant and valuable in the lives of people across the globe. To reach its objectives, WFUNA draws on the expertise of UN, Member States and Civil Society's key players from all regions of the world. The contribution of Ambassador Carlos Amat-Fores, an experienced and knowledgeable diplomat, has been crucial to the work of our organization. Since WFUNA operates on the principles of inclusiveness and openness, the Executive Committee regrettably decided that future meetings will have to be held outside of US territory, unless we receive firm reassurances that all of our members are granted entry to the United States. Please accept our highest considerations, Mr. Pang Sen Chairman of the Executive Committee World Federation of the United Nations Associations End text. KHALILZAD