Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VIENNA304
2008-03-03 13:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
AUSTRIA ON COMMISSIONER'S CUBA VISIT
how-toVZCZCXYZ3053 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHVI #0304 0631335 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 031335Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9622 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0038
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000304
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2023
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PU AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA ON COMMISSIONER'S CUBA VISIT
REF: STATE 20108
Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000304
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2023
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PU AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA ON COMMISSIONER'S CUBA VISIT
REF: STATE 20108
Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) MFA America's Department Director Isabel Rauscher
confirmed to E/P Counselor 3/3 that EU Development
Commissioner Michel's visit to Cuba March 6-7 will go ahead.
She said that all member states had supported proceeding with
the visit.
2. (C) E/P Counselor expressed concern at the decision,
noting that the new government had done nothing to earn such
EU recognition, that its membership suggested no likely
improvement in civil or human rights, and that the visit
would be abused for propaganda purposes by the Cuban
government. Rauscher emphasized that Michel was traveling in
a fact-finding capacity, would not enter into any agreements
with the new regime, and would operate firmly within the
two-track policy. Rauscher did not know, however, if Michel
would meet with any dissidents or representatives of civil
society. E/P Counselor urged Austria to press Michel on
these issues, and, to counter official propaganda, to make
clear the terms and purpose of his visit.
Kilner
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2023
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PU AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA ON COMMISSIONER'S CUBA VISIT
REF: STATE 20108
Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) MFA America's Department Director Isabel Rauscher
confirmed to E/P Counselor 3/3 that EU Development
Commissioner Michel's visit to Cuba March 6-7 will go ahead.
She said that all member states had supported proceeding with
the visit.
2. (C) E/P Counselor expressed concern at the decision,
noting that the new government had done nothing to earn such
EU recognition, that its membership suggested no likely
improvement in civil or human rights, and that the visit
would be abused for propaganda purposes by the Cuban
government. Rauscher emphasized that Michel was traveling in
a fact-finding capacity, would not enter into any agreements
with the new regime, and would operate firmly within the
two-track policy. Rauscher did not know, however, if Michel
would meet with any dissidents or representatives of civil
society. E/P Counselor urged Austria to press Michel on
these issues, and, to counter official propaganda, to make
clear the terms and purpose of his visit.
Kilner