AUSTRALIA ON LIBERTAD ACT AND FOREIGN MINISTER'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 001041

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2019
TAGS: CU ETRD ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA ON LIBERTAD ACT AND FOREIGN MINISTER'S
VISIT TO CUBA

REF: SECSTATE 115416

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Australia wants to enhance engagement with
Latin America and the Caribbean and sees improving its
relationship with Cuba as a part of that strategy. In
addition to signing a Memorandum of Understanding, which
"will provide the future basis for cooperation and exchanges"
between both countries, Foreign Minister Smith was to raise
human rights concerns during his November 23 visit to Cuba.
End Summary.


2. (SBU) Following is the response to reftel query about
Australia's relations with Cuba, based on responses from John
Wood, Assistant Secretary for Canada & Latin America at the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as well as
from GOA media releases. Australia complies with reftel
stipulations for suspension of actions under Title III of the
Libertad Act. Separately, discussion also covered Foreign
Minister Stephen Smith's visit to Cuba on November 23.

Responses to Reftel
--------------


3. (SBU) Trade Relationship: According to DFAT's Market
Information and Research Section, bilateral trade in goods
for 2008 totaled approximately USD 12 million (USD 7.4
million in imports from Cuba -- mainly tobacco, crustaceans
and rum; and USD 4.6 million in exports to Cuba -- mainly
electrical circuits equipment and milk products). Australia
has no trade in services and no investment relationship with
Cuba. Among Cuba's principal export destinations in 2008,
Australia ranked 37th, accounting for 0.2% of Cuban exports.
Among Cuba's principal import sources in 2008, Australia
ranked 49th, accounting for 0.1% of Cuban imports. According
to Woods, Cuba has an outstanding debt to Australia of USD 9
million, plus about USD 30 million in accumulated interests
(for agricultural equipment during the late 1980s).


4. (SBU) Diplomatic Visits: There have been two high-level
diplomatic visits in the past six months: FM Smith on
November 23 and a visit by Australian Deputy Representative
to the UN, who was accompanied by DFAT's Wood and who also
met with the Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. In July
2009, Australia hosted the first Australian Film Festival in
Havana. There are no official exchange programs between
Australia and Cuba.


5. (C) Support for Democracy and Human Rights: The GOA has
voted in support of UN resolutions to end the U.S. trade
embargo, but at the same time has expressed concern over
Cuba's human rights record, multilaterally and bilaterally
through: Non-support for NAM UNCHR resolutions targeting the
Libertad Act; support for U.S. resolutions on Cuba's human
rights record; and also raising human rights issues during
periodic diplomatic representations.

Foreign Minister Smith's Visit
--------------


6. (SBU) Smith, who is the first Australian Foreign Minister
to visit Cuba since 1995, met his Cuban counterpart Bruno
Rodriguez Parrilla and First Vice President Jose Machado
Ventura. The visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia
and Cuba. Smith said he is, "Pleased with the way our
relationship has progressed...in the last two years, we have
Qrelationship has progressed...in the last two years, we have
worked more closely together in international organizations,
particularly the UN."


7. (SBU) Smith signed a Memorandum of Understanding which
"will provide the future basis for cooperation and exchanges"
between both countries in fields of mutual interest such as
"science, culture, sport and commerce." Smith specifically
mentioned he explored with the Cubans how they could: 1) Work
together through regional organizations such as the Rio Group
and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); 2) Cooperate on health
programs for development and capacity building in the Pacific
and Caribbean (there are Cuban doctors and nurses currently

CANBERRA 00001041 002 OF 002


working in several Pacific Island countries).


8. (C) Comment: Wood told us Smith would raise human rights
during meetings with his Cuban counterparts. DFAT has not
yet received a full readout from the visit and cannot yet
comment on what was actually discussed. Australia wants to
enhance engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean and
sees improving its relationship with Cuba as an important
component of that strategy. While Australia is against the
U.S. embargo policy, it is of the view that as Australia
seeks more engagement, it must also see more improvements in
Cuba.

BLEICH