US embassy cable - 04MADRID2700

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002700 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/WE AND WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, CU, SP 
SUBJECT: SPAIN AND CUBAN OUTREACH 
 
REF: A. STATE 152813 
     B. MADRID 2315 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Katherine M. Fitzpatrick, 
reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Ref A sought post's view on the likelihood the GOS or 
Spanish NGOs would participate in outreach to Cuban civil 
society to pressure the Castro government to hasten 
democratic transition on the island.  We discussed Cuba with 
new MFA Director General for Latin America Sandomingo (Ref 
B).  The GOS will maintain a firm stand on Cuba but will not 
actively work in the EU for a tougher line.  The GOS is 
prepared to normalize dialogue provided the Castro regime 
takes positive steps showing dialogue would yield results, 
but the GOS does not expect this to happen and therefore will 
not do so.  However, the GOS wants to open lines of 
communication with the Cuban government.  Given this stance, 
it is post's judgment that the Zapatero government will not 
be receptive to entreaties to engage in the activities 
outlined by ref A to pressure the Cuban government further. 
Nonetheless, the Foreign Ministry's Director General for 
Latin America, Francisco Javier Sandomingo, will be visiting 
with A/S Noriega and others Monday, July 19.  His visit 
provides an opportunity to sound out the Foreign Ministry 
further on its approach to Cuba. 
 
2.  (C) Spain-based NGOs tend to be left leaning and while 
they may favor dialogue with civil society, they are not 
likely to favor activities that could be seen as designed to 
pressure the Castro regime further.  However, the principal 
opposition Popular Party may be more amenable to engaging in 
the type of activities envisioned by ref A.  The party's 
international affairs chief, Jorge Moragas, traveled to Cuba 
July 13-17 to meet with Cuban dissidents, NGOs and the 
Catholic Church. 
 
MANZANARES