REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000304 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2019 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU XL SUBJECT: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT: ST. LUCIA REF: STATE 48487 Classified By: Polecon chief Ian Campbell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Responses keyed to reftel questions: - Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? No. St. Lucia has not taken steps to advance democracy and human rights in Cuba. - Has the host country made other 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? The Government of St. Lucia has not undertaken any such activities. - Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and host country in the past six months? Yes. Prime Minister Stephenson King attended the annual CARICOM-Cuba summit December 7-8. - What is the nature of investments (and names, if known) that host country businesses have in Cuba? There are no St. Lucian businesses known to have investments in Cuba. - Are there any bilateral trade agreements between host country and Cuba? Yes. CARICOM has a trade agreement with Cuba that St. Lucia has ratified. - Are there any exchange programs between host country and Cuba, 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? Yes. St. Lucia is the recipient of Cuban scholarships. HARDT