REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT:

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000721 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR AND WHA/CCA - JHILLSMAN AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PASS TO AMEMBASSY GRENADA E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/17 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU XL SUBJECT: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT: DOMINICA CLASSIFIED BY: icampbell, polcouns, state, bridgetown; REASON: 1.4B, D ¶1. (C) Response to reftel inquiries for Dominica follows. -- Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? No. Dominica has done nothing to advance democracy and human rights in Cuba. -- Has the host country made public statements or undertaken other governmental actions, such as resolutions in national assemblies condemning human rights abuses in Cuba; or actions in support of civil society in Cuba through the host country's diplomatic missions or other fora? No. Dominica has done nothing to support civil society or condemn human rights abuses in Cuba. -- Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and the host country in the past six months? Yes. Minister of Foreign Affairs Vince Henderson visited Cuba on 29-30 April 2009 for the Meeting of the Ministers of the Non-Aligned movement, and on 4-5 May 2009, for the Sixth Dominica-Cuba Joint Commission. -- What is the nature of investments (and names, if known) that host country businesses have in Cuba? There are no Dominican businesses known to have investments in Cuba. -- Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba? Yes. Dominica has an active bilateral trade treaty. In addition, CARICOM has a trade agreement with Cuba that has been ratified by Dominica. -- 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 the host country? Yes. Dominicans travel to Cuba for medical care and university education. There are 36 Cuban medical personnel in Dominica, split between the Intensive Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau, the Miracle Eye Care Program, the Diagnostic Centre in Portsmouth, and at the Dominica State College. HARDT