Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUDHABI510
2009-05-20 13:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
NO SIGNIFICANT UAE ROLE IN CUBA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAD #0510 1401356 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201356Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2499 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0009
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000510
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND WHA/CCA/GZAMBRANO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL ETRD ETTC CU AE
SUBJECT: NO SIGNIFICANT UAE ROLE IN CUBA
REFS: A) STATE 48487, B) 08 ABU DHABI 647
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000510
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND WHA/CCA/GZAMBRANO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL ETRD ETTC CU AE
SUBJECT: NO SIGNIFICANT UAE ROLE IN CUBA
REFS: A) STATE 48487, B) 08 ABU DHABI 647
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Cuba and the UAE maintain diplomatic relations, but neither
country has an embassy in the other capital. UAEG visits to Cuba are
generally not bilateral in nature.
2. (C) Embassy responses to ref A questions follow.
--- Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote the
advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba?
Post sees no evidence to date of UAE actions designed specifically to
promote human rights or democracy 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?
Post is not aware of any UAEG statements with regards to human rights
or civil society in Cuba.
--- Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and
the host country in the past six months?
We are not aware of any bilaterally focused visits during this
period, but a UAE Cabinet member, Minister of State (without
portfolio) Reem al-Hashimi, visited Havana to participate in
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meetings in April, 2009. At the meeting
Minister al-Hashimi reportedly stressed the UAE desire for support in
its bit to host the headquarters of the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi -- a major diplomatic effort for
the UAE. This visit would be consistent with prior UAE visits for
NAM-related events in Cuba.
--- What is the nature of investments that host country businesses
have in Cuba?
Post has been unable to find any information on UAE
investments in Cuba. Officials at the Abu Dh@EaQ~QQQ6&ba,
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?
Post is unaware of any exchange programs, but notes incidentally that
a Cuban band (represented and managed by a Brazilian firm) was to
hold a concert in Abu Dhabi in May, 2009.
OLSON
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND WHA/CCA/GZAMBRANO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL ETRD ETTC CU AE
SUBJECT: NO SIGNIFICANT UAE ROLE IN CUBA
REFS: A) STATE 48487, B) 08 ABU DHABI 647
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Cuba and the UAE maintain diplomatic relations, but neither
country has an embassy in the other capital. UAEG visits to Cuba are
generally not bilateral in nature.
2. (C) Embassy responses to ref A questions follow.
--- Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote the
advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba?
Post sees no evidence to date of UAE actions designed specifically to
promote human rights or democracy 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?
Post is not aware of any UAEG statements with regards to human rights
or civil society in Cuba.
--- Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and
the host country in the past six months?
We are not aware of any bilaterally focused visits during this
period, but a UAE Cabinet member, Minister of State (without
portfolio) Reem al-Hashimi, visited Havana to participate in
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meetings in April, 2009. At the meeting
Minister al-Hashimi reportedly stressed the UAE desire for support in
its bit to host the headquarters of the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi -- a major diplomatic effort for
the UAE. This visit would be consistent with prior UAE visits for
NAM-related events in Cuba.
--- What is the nature of investments that host country businesses
have in Cuba?
Post has been unable to find any information on UAE
investments in Cuba. Officials at the Abu Dh@EaQ~QQQ6&ba,
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?
Post is unaware of any exchange programs, but notes incidentally that
a Cuban band (represented and managed by a Brazilian firm) was to
hold a concert in Abu Dhabi in May, 2009.
OLSON