STOCKHOLM: RESPONSE TO REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000732 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2019 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PGOV CU SW SUBJECT: STOCKHOLM: RESPONSE TO REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT REF: A. A. STATE 115416 ¶B. B. STOCKHOLM 00359 ¶C. C. 08 STOCKHOLM 836 Classified By: DepPolCouns Briana Olsen for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (U) The information in this message is keyed to questions posed in reftel. ¶2. (C) Has Sweden worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? -- The official position of the Swedish MFA is that to "support democratic forces" and to contribute to "positive changes in countries like Cuba and Zimbabwe, where people's freedoms and rights are grossly and systematically violated." However, engagement with Cuba remains a "low priority" for many Swedish politicians. As of September 2008, the Swedish Development Agency (SIDA) reports "limited development cooperation" with Cuba in the areas of democracy, human rights and economic development. In 2006 (the most recent data available),SIDA allocated nearly one million USD to encourage democratic reforms in Cuba, including projects focusing on human rights training, economic modernization, and exchanges between Cuban and Swedish institutions. Overall, Sweden remains critical of Cuba's human rights record, but supports limited economic ventures and humanitarian aid in the country. ¶3. (C) Has Sweden made public statements or undertaken other governmental actions, such as resolutions in Parliament condemning human rights abuses in Cuba; or other actions in support of civil society in Cuba through Sweden's diplomatic mission or other fora? -- High ranking Swedish officials, including FM Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlson and Swedish Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage, publicly criticize Cuba as an authoritarian state on a regular basis, yet emphasize a "constructive engagement" policy. In a parliamentary debate on foreign affairs on February 18, 2009 this position was stated succinctly: "Efforts to support democratic forces and counter oppression must continue in countries such as Cuba and Burma." Sweden recognizes the need for civil society and development cooperation in support of human rights with regard to Cuba yet admits that there are few official channels with which to engage civil society. -- Swedish officials have made several statements on Cuba in Sweden's capacity as EU President (July 1-December 31, 2009). On September 22, 2009 Ambassador Hans Dahlgrean, PermRep to UN Office in Geneva said: "The European Union remains concerned at persistent violations of human rights in Cuba. The EU renews its appeal to the authorities to free all political prisoners and human rights defenders and to lift existing restrictions on the freedom of expression and the freedom of association." Per Orneus, Deputy PermRep to the UN, made a statement saying "The EUremains concerned at the persistent denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba. The EU renews its appeal to the authorities to free all political prisoners and human rights defenders and to lift restrictions on the freedom of expression and the right of association. The EU recalls the welcome signature by Cuba in 2008 of the core human rights covenants of 1966. It calls on the Cuban authorities to ratify the covenants without any reservations in contravention of the purpose and spirit of the covenants to keep any declarations and reservations to a minimum and to fully honor their obligations under the covenants." ¶4. (C) Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and Sweden in the past six months? -- There have been no high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and Sweden for a decade. The last visit was in 1999, when then Cuban Minister for Finance and Planning, Jose Luis Rodriquez Garcia, traveled to Sweden. However, in late August 2009 the Swedish Ambassador along with the Ambassadors from Germany, Hungary, Poland and Britain, made a visit to prominent Cuban dissident and physician Darsi Ferrer. At the conclusion of the visit, Swedish diplomat Ingemar Cederberg said "There's a question mark when it comes to this arrest. There are accusations that belong to the category of common crime, not really political and our visit is a way of showing our interest that the case should advance and get clarified." ¶5. (C) What is the nature of investments (and names, if known) that Swedish businesses have in Cuba? What Swedish businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair (November 3)? -- Sweden continues to play a "strategic role" in Cuban nickel production. A few Swedish companies have operations in Cuba, including Elof Hansson (forestry and consumer products),Atlas Copco (nickel and steel),Alfa Laval (oil, sugar, and food-products),Volvo Construction Equipment (trucks and other machinery),Ericsson (fixed telephone, GSM-networks, cell phones),and Bycosin (metallic powder for oil industry and the energy sector). Swedish exports to Cuba for the January-June 2009 period reached 7,712,448 USD, down 66 percent from the same period in 2008. Swedish imports from Cuba for the January-June 2009 period totaled 569,036 USD, up 15 percent from the same period in 2008. Approximately 20 Swedes live in Cuba, but between three and five thousand Swedish tourists visit Cuba each year. -- Post is not aware of any recent investments or Swedish business participation in the Havana Trade Fair. On November 24-26, 2008, a private delegation with representatives from Swedish companies Atlas Copco, Ronautica, Seaflex, Swedish Mining, Tunneling Group and EKN Havana visited Cuba to meet with business counterparts. The event was jointly organized by the Swedish Embassy in Cuba, the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and the Swedish Trade Council (STC) in Mexico. The STC recommended the following actions at the conclusion of the visit: - Investigate the potential and interest for organizing a mining delegation with Swedish company representatives visiting Mexico and Cuba to continue discussions. - Follow-up on interest expressed by Cuban companies and government participants for Swedish products and services. ¶6. (C) Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other cooperative agreements between Sweden and Cuba? -- Post is unaware of any bilateral trade or cooperative agreements between Sweden and Cuba. ¶7. (C) Are there any exchange programs between Sweden and Cuba, including but not limited to: scholarships for Swedish nationals to study in Cuba; Cuban-paid medical travel for Swedes; and other Cuban doctors working in Sweden? -- Post is not aware of any Cuba-specific exchange programs. The Swedish Migration Board reported only eight Cubans studying independently in Sweden in 2007. According to the Migration Board, as of 2008 there were 16,000 Cuban-born individuals residing in Sweden. BARZUN