Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIMA1665
2009-11-20 19:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lima
Cable title:
Peru Response to Review for Suspension of Title III of the
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 001665
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO WHA/CCA FOR JARAHN HILLSMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/20
TAGS: PHUM ETTC ETRD PREL CU PE
SUBJECT: Peru Response to Review for Suspension of Title III of the
Libertad Act
REF: STATE 115416
CLASSIFIED BY: Nealon, James, DCM, State, Executive; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 001665
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO WHA/CCA FOR JARAHN HILLSMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/20
TAGS: PHUM ETTC ETRD PREL CU PE
SUBJECT: Peru Response to Review for Suspension of Title III of the
Libertad Act
REF: STATE 115416
CLASSIFIED BY: Nealon, James, DCM, State, Executive; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
1. (U) Following is Post's response to reftel questions.
GOP EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Peru's leadership, including President Garcia, has taken an
ambivalent approach to promoting a democratic transition in Cuba,
and believe Cuba's current political leaders -- with Raul Castro
formally in charge and Fidel Castro still alive, presumably
influencing events in some manner from behind the scenes -- is
fundamentally sensitive. Most GOP officials believe a political
opening in Cuba will become more likely once Fidel dies and Raul is
able to pursue policies unconcerned by his brother's potentially
critical reaction. President Garcia has noted that incipient signs
of a possible Cuban opening -- i.e. performance pay for public
officials, cell phone access -- should be encouraged. At the same
time, GOP officials emphasize that any transition process toward
democracy should be led by the Cuban people and that attempts by
outside actors to shape the outcome could cause a counterproductive
backlash. The GOP favors integrating Cuba into regional groupings
such as the Summit of the Americas, and ultimately supported U.S.
led efforts to facilitate Cuba's reintegration into the OAS only
after it had met certain conditions.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS OR ACTION CONDEMNING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
-------------- --------------
3. (C) In a series of public statements surrounding the EU-LAC
Summit in May 2008, President Garcia argued that the only way for
any country that has not joined the system of democratic freedoms
and the world economy is to follow the path of elections, freedom
of the press and freedom for those who suffer because of their
political ideas or positions. Government officials told us these
statements were a clear allusion to the continuing absence of
freedom in Cuba.
HIGH LEVEL VISITS
--------------
4. (SBU) Peru's former Health Minister Hernan Garrido Lecca visited
Cuba in late April of 2008 -- the first such high level visit in
recent memory. Tentative early plans for a follow-on visit by the
Foreign Minister later, to signal a thaw in bilateral relations and
to encourage signs of incipient reform under Raul Castro, have not
come to fruition.
PERUVIAN INVESTMENTS IN CUBA
--------------
5. (U) Post has not found any reliable data on Peruvian
investments in Cuba. The vast majority of Peru's limited foreign
direct investment is in Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Central America,
and the Cayman Islands.
BILATERAL TRADE AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
--------------
6. (U) Under the 1980 Montevideo Treaty establishing the Latin
American Integration Association (LAIA),also known as ALADI, Peru
and Cuba both belong to the Economic Complementation Agreement No.
50. Other member countries include: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Peru and Cuba also hold a bilateral investment agreement. Trade
between the two countries is small. From January through November
2009, the approximate value of Peru's exports to Cuba totaled over
USD 4.0 million. About 75 percent of Peru's exports to Cuba
consisted of: polymer plates, laminates, sheets, strips, bags,
cones and adhesives; books, brochures and similar printed
materials; and frozen, dry, salted or briny squid and cuttlefish.
Peru imports just over half a million dollars worth of products
from Cuba per year, including rum, vaccines and medical products.
PERU-CUBA EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
--------------
7. (SBU) In 1999 the two countries signed a Basic Agreement on
Technical Cooperation, but little has been implemented under this
agreement due to lack of
financing and prioritization. In 2008, then-Health Minister Hernan
Garrido Lecca signed several agreements to formalize Cuban medical
support in Peru. According
to one agreement, the GOP will provide funds in exchange for Cuban
doctors and medical expertise. The Minister also signed an
agreement to establish ophthalmology center in Cusco. A third
agreement allows a Cuban medical brigade that has helped Peruvian
victims of the 2007 earthquake in Ica to remain in the country
longer-term. About 40 Peruvian students study medicine and
physical education in Cuba on GOC scholarships at any given time.
MCKINLEY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO WHA/CCA FOR JARAHN HILLSMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/20
TAGS: PHUM ETTC ETRD PREL CU PE
SUBJECT: Peru Response to Review for Suspension of Title III of the
Libertad Act
REF: STATE 115416
CLASSIFIED BY: Nealon, James, DCM, State, Executive; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
1. (U) Following is Post's response to reftel questions.
GOP EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Peru's leadership, including President Garcia, has taken an
ambivalent approach to promoting a democratic transition in Cuba,
and believe Cuba's current political leaders -- with Raul Castro
formally in charge and Fidel Castro still alive, presumably
influencing events in some manner from behind the scenes -- is
fundamentally sensitive. Most GOP officials believe a political
opening in Cuba will become more likely once Fidel dies and Raul is
able to pursue policies unconcerned by his brother's potentially
critical reaction. President Garcia has noted that incipient signs
of a possible Cuban opening -- i.e. performance pay for public
officials, cell phone access -- should be encouraged. At the same
time, GOP officials emphasize that any transition process toward
democracy should be led by the Cuban people and that attempts by
outside actors to shape the outcome could cause a counterproductive
backlash. The GOP favors integrating Cuba into regional groupings
such as the Summit of the Americas, and ultimately supported U.S.
led efforts to facilitate Cuba's reintegration into the OAS only
after it had met certain conditions.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS OR ACTION CONDEMNING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
-------------- --------------
3. (C) In a series of public statements surrounding the EU-LAC
Summit in May 2008, President Garcia argued that the only way for
any country that has not joined the system of democratic freedoms
and the world economy is to follow the path of elections, freedom
of the press and freedom for those who suffer because of their
political ideas or positions. Government officials told us these
statements were a clear allusion to the continuing absence of
freedom in Cuba.
HIGH LEVEL VISITS
--------------
4. (SBU) Peru's former Health Minister Hernan Garrido Lecca visited
Cuba in late April of 2008 -- the first such high level visit in
recent memory. Tentative early plans for a follow-on visit by the
Foreign Minister later, to signal a thaw in bilateral relations and
to encourage signs of incipient reform under Raul Castro, have not
come to fruition.
PERUVIAN INVESTMENTS IN CUBA
--------------
5. (U) Post has not found any reliable data on Peruvian
investments in Cuba. The vast majority of Peru's limited foreign
direct investment is in Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Central America,
and the Cayman Islands.
BILATERAL TRADE AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
--------------
6. (U) Under the 1980 Montevideo Treaty establishing the Latin
American Integration Association (LAIA),also known as ALADI, Peru
and Cuba both belong to the Economic Complementation Agreement No.
50. Other member countries include: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Peru and Cuba also hold a bilateral investment agreement. Trade
between the two countries is small. From January through November
2009, the approximate value of Peru's exports to Cuba totaled over
USD 4.0 million. About 75 percent of Peru's exports to Cuba
consisted of: polymer plates, laminates, sheets, strips, bags,
cones and adhesives; books, brochures and similar printed
materials; and frozen, dry, salted or briny squid and cuttlefish.
Peru imports just over half a million dollars worth of products
from Cuba per year, including rum, vaccines and medical products.
PERU-CUBA EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
--------------
7. (SBU) In 1999 the two countries signed a Basic Agreement on
Technical Cooperation, but little has been implemented under this
agreement due to lack of
financing and prioritization. In 2008, then-Health Minister Hernan
Garrido Lecca signed several agreements to formalize Cuban medical
support in Peru. According
to one agreement, the GOP will provide funds in exchange for Cuban
doctors and medical expertise. The Minister also signed an
agreement to establish ophthalmology center in Cusco. A third
agreement allows a Cuban medical brigade that has helped Peruvian
victims of the 2007 earthquake in Ica to remain in the country
longer-term. About 40 Peruvian students study medicine and
physical education in Cuba on GOC scholarships at any given time.
MCKINLEY