SYG BAN'S CONVERSATION WITH RAUL CASTRO AT NAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000703 SIPDIS NSC FOR DAN RESTREPO E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL CU SUBJECT: SYG BAN'S CONVERSATION WITH RAUL CASTRO AT NAM SUMMIT Classified By: Ambassador Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. At the request of Secretary-General Ban, Department of Political Affairs Under Secretary-General Pascoe provided Ambassador Wolff with a readout of Ban's conversation with Cuban President Raul Castro on July 17 on the margins of Non-aligned Movement Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The two leaders discussed the U.S.-Cuba relationship, recent immigration talks and former President Fidel Castro's health. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Cuban President Raul Castro told Secretary-General Ban that Cuba is ready to discuss "every issue" with the U.S. on "equal terms with full responsibility for sovereignty," adding that this should be done without intermediaries. "We have to be able to judge each other with mutual respect," Castro commented. He characterized the recent immigration talks as "good" and, according to Ban, seemed pleased that a joint press statement was issued. Castro noted that President Obama had lifted some restrictions, which Castro thought was a good step. Castro commented that each delegation shared lists of issues to be discussed. He referred to his as a "laundry list" that included both the Guantanamo Naval Base as well as the U.S. "blockade" against Cuba. According to Ban, Castro said he was prepared to discuss human rights first, but expressed some doubt about the ability to "make great progress" across the board, as the media had speculated. Castro said he was prepared to move slowly, step by step. He won't change the regime but can improve it. He acknowledged that there were many things he could not do on the migration issue. According to Pascoe, he told Ban that if he opened up immigration policy too much, "we would lose our brains." ¶3. (C) Castro referenced a recent statement by U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, suggesting changes in Cuba were not enough. Castro said that he "told his people not to attack President Obama or Secretary Clinton." The Secretary-General also pushed Castro on the ratification of several economic/social conventions, to which Castro replied that "this was not the best time," reiterating that Cuba needed to remove regulations step by step. ¶4. (C) A/SYG Pascoe commented (based on his own recent trip) that it was clear Cuba was "excited and interested" in engaging with the United States. However, they are apprehensive about what engagement might mean and how talks between the countries will progress. According to Pascoe, President Castro told Ban that Fidel is "doing much better" and added that he was able to walk home after his recent hospitalization. Raul Castro remarked that his brother's mind is still sharp and he continues to write his column, but he will "never be back 100 percent." President Castro told Ban that he was able to get the National Assembly to support his request that Fidel serve as his advisor. He noted that the nature of their discussions are general, adding that his brother never "tells him not to do something." Pascoe said that Castro indicated to Ban that he was aware Cuba needed to "fix things," but continued reiterating that it would take time. RICE