Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA47
2009-01-15 06:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW - AUSTRALIA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBY #0047 0150612 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 150612Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0822
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000047
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2019
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW - AUSTRALIA
REF: A. 2008 STATE 126578
B. 2008 CANBERRA 519
Classified By: ACTING ECONCOUNS W ALBRIGHT, REASONS 1.4 B, D
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000047
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2019
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW - AUSTRALIA
REF: A. 2008 STATE 126578
B. 2008 CANBERRA 519
Classified By: ACTING ECONCOUNS W ALBRIGHT, REASONS 1.4 B, D
1. (U) Cuba is not a front-burner issue in Australia. It is
far from Australia and there are few political, economic, or
cultural ties.
2. (C) Following is keyed to reftel questions.
- Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote
the advancement of 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.
The GOA has expressed its concern over the human rights
record of the Castro regime, multilaterally and bilaterally.
This has included non-support for NAM UNCHR resolutions that
targeted the Libertad Act, GOA support for U.S. resolutions
on Cuba,s human rights record, and "frequent diplomatic
representations" on human rights issues. The GOA has
specifically voiced opposition to Cuba's "restriction of
freedom of expression, association, assembly, movement, and
the press." The GOA has also voted in support of UN
resolutions to end the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, believing
that "confrontation and isolation" are not productive
policies in relation to Cuba.
3. (C) Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits
between Cuba and the host country in the past six months?
No. However, as expected (ref B),Cuba did open a new
Embassy in Canberra in September 2008; Cuba's new Ambassador
Abelardo Curbelo Padron presented his credentials on October
30, 2008. It is a two-person mission which the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade Cuba desk officer said does not
appear to be very active. Cuba also maintains a Consulate
General in Sydney.
4. (SBU) Did the host country offer or deliver humanitarian
or other assistance to the Cuban people in the wake of the
major damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav (August 30) and Ike
(September 8)?
Yes. The GOA has no assistance program in Latin American and
the Caribbean. However, the GOA provided A$1,000,000
(US$675,000 at today's exchange rate) to the International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, for
their relief efforts for Cuba, for Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah,
and Ike, and Tropical Storm Fay. The funding was for relief
supplies, temporary shelter, health services, and other
emergency relief activities.
5. (SBU) What is the nature of investments (and names, if
known) that host country businesses have in Cuba? What host
country businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair
(November 3)?
The GOA describes Australian investment in Cuba as "minimal."
Australian businesses are not known to have participated in
the Havana Trade Fair.
6. (SBU) Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other
cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba?
There are no bilateral trade agreements between Australia and
Cuba. Two-way trade between Australia and Cuba in 2007-08
totaled A$19 million (approximately US$13 million);
Australia's exports (A$12m) were primarily electrical
circuits equipment; the major import was manufactured tobacco
products.
7. (SBU) 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?
No.
MCCALLUM
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2019
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW - AUSTRALIA
REF: A. 2008 STATE 126578
B. 2008 CANBERRA 519
Classified By: ACTING ECONCOUNS W ALBRIGHT, REASONS 1.4 B, D
1. (U) Cuba is not a front-burner issue in Australia. It is
far from Australia and there are few political, economic, or
cultural ties.
2. (C) Following is keyed to reftel questions.
- Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote
the advancement of 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.
The GOA has expressed its concern over the human rights
record of the Castro regime, multilaterally and bilaterally.
This has included non-support for NAM UNCHR resolutions that
targeted the Libertad Act, GOA support for U.S. resolutions
on Cuba,s human rights record, and "frequent diplomatic
representations" on human rights issues. The GOA has
specifically voiced opposition to Cuba's "restriction of
freedom of expression, association, assembly, movement, and
the press." The GOA has also voted in support of UN
resolutions to end the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, believing
that "confrontation and isolation" are not productive
policies in relation to Cuba.
3. (C) Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits
between Cuba and the host country in the past six months?
No. However, as expected (ref B),Cuba did open a new
Embassy in Canberra in September 2008; Cuba's new Ambassador
Abelardo Curbelo Padron presented his credentials on October
30, 2008. It is a two-person mission which the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade Cuba desk officer said does not
appear to be very active. Cuba also maintains a Consulate
General in Sydney.
4. (SBU) Did the host country offer or deliver humanitarian
or other assistance to the Cuban people in the wake of the
major damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav (August 30) and Ike
(September 8)?
Yes. The GOA has no assistance program in Latin American and
the Caribbean. However, the GOA provided A$1,000,000
(US$675,000 at today's exchange rate) to the International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, for
their relief efforts for Cuba, for Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah,
and Ike, and Tropical Storm Fay. The funding was for relief
supplies, temporary shelter, health services, and other
emergency relief activities.
5. (SBU) What is the nature of investments (and names, if
known) that host country businesses have in Cuba? What host
country businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair
(November 3)?
The GOA describes Australian investment in Cuba as "minimal."
Australian businesses are not known to have participated in
the Havana Trade Fair.
6. (SBU) Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other
cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba?
There are no bilateral trade agreements between Australia and
Cuba. Two-way trade between Australia and Cuba in 2007-08
totaled A$19 million (approximately US$13 million);
Australia's exports (A$12m) were primarily electrical
circuits equipment; the major import was manufactured tobacco
products.
7. (SBU) 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?
No.
MCCALLUM