ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000306 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/CAR SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2019 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PINR PGOV CU XL SUBJECT: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT REF: REF: STATE 48487 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires D. Brent Hardt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Response to reftel inquiries for Antigua and Barbuda. - Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? No. Antigua and Barbuda has not taken any steps to advance democracy and human rights 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? No, Antigua and Barbuda has not undertaken any such actions. - Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and the host country in the past six months? Yes, Prime Minister Spencer visited Cuba in December 2008 to attend a CARICOM-Cuba summit meeting. - What is the nature of investments (and names, if known) that host country businesses have in Cuba? There are no Antiguan businesses known to have investments in Cuba. - Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba? Yes. CARICOM has a trade agreement with Cuba that Antigua and Barbuda 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. Antigua and Barbuda is the recipient of Cuban scholarships and Cuban-paid medical travel for Antiguan nationals in need of eye surgery. Cuban doctors and Cuban-trained Antiguan doctors are present in the local health care system. HARDT