US embassy cable - 04PARIS4951

C O N F I D E N T I A L  PARIS 004951 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2014 
TAGS: ETTC, FR, CU, PREL 
SUBJECT: TITLE III LIBERTAD ACT WAIVER: FRANCE 
 
REF: STATE 135512 
 
Classified By: A/DCM SHARON WIENER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  In response to reftel, we met June 24 with 
the MFA Cuba Desk Officer, who noted that France had been 
sharply critical of Cuba's human rights record bilaterally 
and as an EU member.  Even before Havana unilaterally refused 
EU and French assistance, France had reevaluated its position 
on aid to Cuba and severely restricted and restructured 
programs so that they would focus on those that most 
benefited the populace rather than Castro,s regime.  A 
failure to waive Title III of the Libertad Act for France 
would be harmful to our overall bilateral relations and could 
have a negative effect on relations with the EU.  End Summary. 
 
 
France Through the EU 
--------------------- 
 
2.  (U) In a June 24 meeting, French MFA Cuba desk officer 
Eric Chaux stressed that the United States and France shared 
the common goal of a democratic Cuba with a government that 
respects human rights and individual freedoms.  France holds 
to the common EU position on Cuba, adopted by the EU Council 
of Ministers in December 1996.  This decision makes the 
conclusion of an EU cooperation agreement with Cuba 
conditional upon Havana initiating democratic reforms, 
protecting human rights, and introducing political freedoms. 
In response to Cuba's arrest of 75 dissidents in March 2003 
and reinstatement of the death penalty, France, along with 
the other members of the European Union, condemned the abuse 
of human rights and fundamental freedoms in a June 5, 2003 
declaration.  In addition, the EU imposed penalties against 
Cuba, including limiting bilateral high-level governmental 
 
visits and announcing an intention to invite Cuban dissidents 
to national day celebrations.  France subsequently invited a 
number of dissidents to the July 14, 2003 Bastille Day 
celebration in Havana.  As a result of the June 5 
declaration, Cuba declined to accept any aid from the EU. 
The EU reaffirmed its position in regards to Cuba and the 
previously imposed restrictions in its statement of June 14, 
2004. 
 
France Bilaterally 
---------------------- 
 
3.  (C) In May 2003, France reevaluated its bilateral 
assistance to Cuba.  The result was a decision to concentrate 
cooperation only in those areas where it would most benefit 
the general populace, notably health, agriculture, 
professional development, the environment, and scientific 
research.  Additionally, France suspended, among others, its 
bilateral police and judicial program.  These actions 
triggered a backlash in Havana, much like the reaction 
triggered by the June 5 EU declaration.  French actions 
resulted in Cuba unilaterally refusing French assistance and 
severing negotiations on new programs.  Castro has also cut 
official contact between the GOC and the French Embassy in 
Havana.  Most recently, France voted with the United States 
to condemn the human rights situation in Cuba in a close 22 
to 21 vote April 15 at the 60th Session of the UN Commission 
on Human Rights. 
 
French Concerns About Title III Impact 
-------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) In a conversation subsequent to the June 24 meeting, 
Chaux indicated to PolOff that he had spoken to colleagues in 
other EU countries about the Title III Libertad Act and the 
 
country-specific assessment process.  He expressed concern 
about the possible impact of non-renewal of the Title III 
waiver on French and other EU members.  He requested in-depth 
and high level consultations in advance of a final USG Title 
III waiver decision in regards to France.  He also indicated 
that EU members would likely meet to discuss the possibility 
of Title III implementation. 
 
Title III Waiver Recommended for France 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
6.  (C) Comment:  France, both bilaterally and through 
multilateral channels, has reacted strongly to Cuba's spring 
2003 crackdown on dissidents.  Imposition of Title III of the 
Libertad Act against France could have a number of negative 
effects on our relations with the GOF at a time when we are 
looking for French support in a number of critical areas. 
Granting a waiver would be in the U.S. national interest in 
order to maintain strong cooperation with France inter alia 
in promoting support for human rights and democratic 
transition in Cuba, on Haiti, and on counter-terrorism. 
Therefore, we strongly recommend that a Title III waiver be 
issued for France.  At a minimum, we should take seriously 
the French request for high-level consultations before a 
Title III waiver is ruled out.  End Comment. 
Leach 
 
 
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