US embassy cable - 04ROME4474

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 004474 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, ETTC, CU, IT, UN 
SUBJECT: ITALY - LIBERTAD ACT TITLE III WAIVER REVIEW 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 248337 
 
B. ROME 02517 
C. ROME 04198 
 
Classified By: Labor Counselor Candace Putnam for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
d). 
 
1. (C) Summary. Mission believes renewing the Title III 
Libertad Act waiver would enhance the possibility of 
increased US-Italian cooperation on Cuba and have a positive 
impact on already strong bilateral relations with Italy. 
Italian policy towards Cuba follows the EU Common Position, 
which is based on constructive engagement.  In 2003, Italy, 
as EU Presidency, led the EU in taking Q more critical stance 
towards the Castro regime which, in the view of many EU 
members, ha resulted in a loss of clout by EU missions in 
Q 
Havana and, consequently, a push by some membeQs to 
reevaluate the Common Position. Italy co.tinues to support 
the fundamentals of the Cmmon Position avely 
participating iprove measures to 
stQtion.  Further bilateral 
olicy could best be ensurtle III Libertad Act wQ (C)  On November 23,  relations 
@iB@d 
human rphe policy of constructi 2003 Italy led the EU the unacceptable attitude o towards EU 
delegations  Italy has followed EU 
 ). 
 
 
3. (C) the increased criticism@t since 2003 has providm for moral support fornd 
democratic movements `ed that this 
harsher lin@ter difficulty for EU 
n Havana to engage the Castro regime.  This loss of 
leverage in Havana has led EU members, some more than others 
(Spain), to push for a reexamination of the Common Position. 
 
4. (C)  Miraglia stated that at the COLAT meeting on November 
16, members reached consensus on the need to maintain and 
adhere to the fundamentals of the Common Position. Having 
reconfirmed the value of the Common Position, he said members 
agreed to explore specific strategies and actions to allow 
them to regain leverage in Havana and regain the lost 
momentum of constructive engagement. He said EU mission heads 
were analyzing the issue and would continue the discussion at 
the next COLAT in December. (Note: Miraglia had stated 
something similar for the November 16 COLAT - ref C). 
 
5. (C)  Miraglia said no decision had been made and did not 
offer any specifics on possible strategies but mentioned the 
agreed need to renew the "critical dialogue" with the Castro 
regime and develop a more "structured and efficient dialogue" 
with dissidents without sacrificing the fundamentals of the 
Common Position.  How this would be achieved, he said, would 
be decided later. 
 
6. (C) Italy's continued support for the fundamentals of the 
Common Position and caution on this issue makes Italy a 
reasonable and effective partner through whom we can reach 
other EU members.  We believe that renewal of the Title III 
waiver for Italy would have a positive impact on our already 
strong bilateral relations and prospects for further 
cooperation on Cuba policy and would not jeopardize U.S 
national interests. 
 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
NNNN 
 2004ROME04474 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL