GOC DOES NOT BLAME WASHINGTON FOR DELAY IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000735 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/PD E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2019 TAGS: PREL SMIG PGOV CU SUBJECT: GOC DOES NOT BLAME WASHINGTON FOR DELAY IN MIGRATION TALKS, NOR DOES IT NEED MEDIATORS REF: USINT TO CCA EMAIL 12/08/2009 Classified By: Principal Office Jonathan Farrar for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On the margins of a December 8 meeting at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX),Director of the North America Office Josefina Vidal took pains to correct two recent media reports on bilateral relations. Vidal had presented COM Farrar a diplomatic note protesting the U.S. Coast Guard's alleged entry into Cuba's claimed territorial seas on December 3 to rescue three Amcits from a sinking vessel (reftel). She then took the opportunity to cite a December 4 Associated Press (AP) story reporting that an unidentified MINREX official had blamed Washington for the delay in the next round of migration talks. Vidal told the COM that the quote had not come from any of the three people authorized to speak about relations with the United States. Vidal told the COM "off the record" that neither she, Deputy Minister Dagoberto Rodriguez nor Minister Bruno Rodriguez had spoken with the AP reporter regarding the postponed talks. ¶2. (C) Vidal also denied news reports that during this week's visit to Japan, Minister Bruno Rodriguez asked Japanese Foreign Minister Kastuya Okada to "intercede" in Cuba's attempt to "normalize relations" with the United States. Vidal said that the Government of Cuba (GOC) prefers direct dialogue with the United States and the GOC consistently turns down offers from third countries and numerous individuals, including U.S. citizens, to mediate. (Note: An official from the Japanese Embassy in Havana previously confirmed to USINT that the news reports were in fact accurate. End Note.) FARRAR