AUSTRIA HAS LOW-KEY INVOLVEMENT WITH CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000606

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA HAS LOW-KEY INVOLVEMENT WITH CUBA

REF: SECSTATE 48487

Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Dean Yap for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d).

Promoting Democracy and Human Rights in Cuba
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1. (C) The Austrian government participates in the EU's
"broad dialogue" with Cuba, which was officially revived in
June 2008 after a period of suspension. Human rights and
democracy are part of this dialogue. According to Austria's
MFA, GoA officials also raise human rights issues "when
appropriate" in bilateral meetings with Cuban counterparts.
Austrian diplomats in Cuba meet with opposition leaders,
Catholic Church officials, dissidents, and civil society
representatives in conjunction with diplomats from other EU
states. The GoA does not unilaterally issue statements or
adopt resolutions regarding human rights in Cuba; such
actions are taken via the EU.

High-Level Diplomatic Visits
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2. (U) A high-level delegation, led by Economic Ministry
Director General Josef Mayer, visited Havana in November 2008
to discuss bilateral and multilateral trade relations as part
of the "Joint Austrian-Cuban Economic Commission."

Austrian Investments in Cuba
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3. (SBU) To date, the only known Austrian foreign investment
in Cuba is in a Havana brewery (Salm Brau),established in

2003. Any investments over 100,000 Euros are recorded by the
Austrian National Bank and the bank's records do not indicate
any new investments in Cuba for 2008. However, the Austrian
Economic Chamber is promoting investment into Cuba in
cooperation with the "Foreign Trade Promotion Center for
Cuba" in Havana. Embassy Vienna knows of no Austrian direct
investment that might be subject to Libertad III. We have no
information regarding any new or contemplated projects that
might result in litigation under the Libertad Act.

Bilateral Trade Agreements with Cuba
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4. (U) The Austrian-Cuban Agreement on Investment Protection
and the Agreement on Economic, Industrial, and Scientific
Cooperation have been in FORCE since December 1, 2001. There
has also been a double-taxation agreement with Cuba since
September 2006. Austrian imports from Cuba, primarily tobacco
and food products, were up 41% to 3.7 million Euros in 2008.
Austrian exports to Cuba were down 16%, but tourism ncreased
by 10% to more than 20,000 visits. Touism has been
facilitated, in part, by a 1992 bilteral air-service
greement which allows for dirct charter flights between
Vienna and Cuba.

Exhange Programs with Cuba
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5. (SBU) There are no Austrian government-sonsored exchange
programs with Cuba. However, an Austrian NGO, the
Austro-Cuban Society, organizes annual "solidarity brigade"
projects on farms and in the construction sector. Other
Austrian NGOs may also occasionally engage in programs with
Cuban organizations. Austrian universities operate exchange
programs with Cuban universities.
ORDWAY