Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10THEHAGUE44
2010-01-25 07:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/CUBA: CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL
how-toVZCZCXRO6488 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHTC #0044 0250717 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 250717Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3691 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0070
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000044
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PHUM PREL SOCI CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL
SOCIETY
REF: SECSTATE 131637
Classified By: DCM Edwin Nolan for reasons 1.4(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000044
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PHUM PREL SOCI CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL
SOCIETY
REF: SECSTATE 131637
Classified By: DCM Edwin Nolan for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (C) The Dutch expect the EU to continue its two-track
policy of engaging both the Cuban government and Cuban civil
society. DCM raised reftel points with Laurent Stokvis,
Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Dutch MFA, on
January 20. Stokvis indicated that he expected the EU would
continue its two-track policy under the Spanish presidency.
He acknowledged there was some concern about whether Spain
would soften the EU approach toward Cuba, and noted the
recent visit of Spanish FM Moratinos to Cuba during which
some in the EU felt he exceeded his mandate. Still, after
Cuba subsequently released two political prisoners, no one
was objecting to Moratinos, efforts.
2. (C) The Netherlands will also continue the two-track
policy. Stokvis had planned to travel to Havana early in
2010, but canceled his trip because the Cubans had failed to
agree to GONL proposals to meet with civil society. The
Dutch want a broad dialogue (e.g., human rights, science,
economic matters) but realize the visit will have a symbolic
value that will be lost if they do not speak with dissidents.
The Dutch believe the situation in Cuba is getting worse,
with more economic and human rights restrictions.
LEVIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PHUM PREL SOCI CU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL
SOCIETY
REF: SECSTATE 131637
Classified By: DCM Edwin Nolan for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (C) The Dutch expect the EU to continue its two-track
policy of engaging both the Cuban government and Cuban civil
society. DCM raised reftel points with Laurent Stokvis,
Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Dutch MFA, on
January 20. Stokvis indicated that he expected the EU would
continue its two-track policy under the Spanish presidency.
He acknowledged there was some concern about whether Spain
would soften the EU approach toward Cuba, and noted the
recent visit of Spanish FM Moratinos to Cuba during which
some in the EU felt he exceeded his mandate. Still, after
Cuba subsequently released two political prisoners, no one
was objecting to Moratinos, efforts.
2. (C) The Netherlands will also continue the two-track
policy. Stokvis had planned to travel to Havana early in
2010, but canceled his trip because the Cubans had failed to
agree to GONL proposals to meet with civil society. The
Dutch want a broad dialogue (e.g., human rights, science,
economic matters) but realize the visit will have a symbolic
value that will be lost if they do not speak with dissidents.
The Dutch believe the situation in Cuba is getting worse,
with more economic and human rights restrictions.
LEVIN