(C) ARGENTINE PLANS TO WORK TOWARD COMPROMISE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000634 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2019 TAGS: PREL OAS CU AR SUBJECT: (C) ARGENTINE PLANS TO WORK TOWARD COMPROMISE ON CUBA AT OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY Classified By: Classified by Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1. 4 (b) & (d). ¶1. (C) During the Ambassador's May 28 farewell call on Argentine FM Jorge Taiana (septel),Taiana characterized the Cuba issue as "the big challenge" at the June 1-3 OAS General Assembly. Taiana noted there were three groups within the OAS: "Bolivarian bloc" hardliners pushing for Cuba's re-admission without condition; the United States, which intends to stand firm on democratic reform in Cuba; and, in the middle, most OAS member states, who think the region should be able to establish a process that could establish the conditions for returning Cuba to the OAS. Taiana noted the tactical difficulties of reaching a compromise, particularly if Nicaraguan President Ortega, Venezuelan President Chavez, Bolivian President Morales, and Ecuador's Correa should show up at the OASGA and, by virtue of their rank, presence, and intransigence, lend additional pressure to the cause of Cuba's unconditional readmission. ¶2. (C) Taiana said Argentina will work toward a compromise that would not give Cuba a free pass, but allow the region to establish a process, with conditions, that could lead to Cuba's reintegration in the OAS. In that connection, he said he hoped the U.S. would be able to show flexibility, adding that the GOA and other OAS members realize that the USG "can't go too far." WAYNE