FINLAND PREFERS COMMON E.U. ENGAGEMENT WITH CUBA

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000027 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL SOCI CU SUBJECT: FINLAND PREFERS COMMON E.U. ENGAGEMENT WITH CUBA REF: SECSTATE 131637 ¶1. (SBU) Pol/Econoff spoke with Ingmar Strom, Counsellor in the MFA's Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean affairs, regarding reftel talking points. Strom noted that the GOF prefers to engage Cuba through a common EU position but that this has been made more difficult by a few EU members which are willing to engage Cuba outside of the common position. While preferring not to list those few other member states, he noted that Spain is a special case because of historic ties to Cuba and Spain's individual engagement should not be viewed as weakening the common position. Though recognizing Spain's special circumstances, Strom went on to state that the GOF would prefer Spain to engage Cuba through a common EU agreement. ¶2. (SBU) The GOF recognizes that Cuba is attempting to undermine the EU's common position by establishing bilateral relations with EU countries which regularly engage with Cuba. The GOF is aware of Cuba's interest in securing agreements with particular EU members that would limit communication with Cuban civil rights groups. While Strom is concerned of a weaking of the EU common position he believes that the EU can engage Cuba on the full range of issues including improvements in the human rights conditions. ¶3. (SBU) Per reftel, Pol/Econoff also asked about areas that USG and GOF could better cooperate in regarding Cuba. Strom answered that he did not see any areas in which the USG and GOF could more closely cooperate at this time. ORECK