US embassy cable - 05PARIS4558

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004558 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, FR, CU 
SUBJECT: FRANCE ON CUBA 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary: US Interest Section Havana Principal Officer 
Designate Michael Parmly met June 27 with MFA WHA 
A/S-equivalent Daniel Parfait to discuss the French position 
on Cuba.  Parfait underlined that the French share our 
overall assessment of the Castro regime; however, they favor 
a slightly different approach.  GOF priorities include 
facilitating the transition to a democratic Cuba without 
bloodshed and reaching out to dissidents as well as the 
broader Cuban population.  Parfait encouraged increased 
dialogue with the U.S. at all levels regarding Cuba.  End 
Summary. 
 
Shared Analysis 
--------------- 
2.  (C) Parfait began the meeting by noting that the GOF 
shared our analysis of the situation in Cuba.  He indicated 
that while there had been a great deal of debate within the 
EU regarding various scenarios that might play out in Cuba, 
it was clear to him that the regime is in its final stages. 
The last 50 years had brought little change for the Cubans, 
who had sacrificed much for the promise of a better future 
that has never materialized, according to Parfait.  While 
there was a certain national pride in some areas - notably 
health care and education - Parfait believed that there was 
an underlying discontent among the citizens.  Parfait 
described what he perceived to be a sense of lassitude, as 
well as waiting, from the majority of Cubans, who are unsure 
of what will happen after Castro. 
 
Peaceful Transition a Priority 
------------------------------ 
3.  (C) Parfait indicated that one of the primary GOF 
concerns in Cuba was preparing for the inevitable post-Castro 
transition, a goal he described as a democratic Cuba without 
a bloodbath.  This hope of a peaceful transition was one of 
the driving forces behind the suspension of EU sanctions in 
order to facilitate contact with members of the Cuban 
government.  While countries such as Poland and the Czech 
Republic were opposed to the suspension of sanctions because 
of their history with Communism, Parfait explained, the 
policy had led to the Cubans freezing relations with European 
embassies.  It is possible that some of those in the current 
regime would continue in the next government, Parfait 
continued, and thus it would therefore be wise to have access 
and a dialogue with them. 
 
Contact with Dissidents 
----------------------- 
4.  (C) On the subject of dissidents, Parfait stated that it 
was important to defend the courage of those who have spoken 
out against the Castro regime.  Parfait claimed that France 
had not been among the strongest supporters of Spain's push 
to extend the suspension of sanctions and, in fact, that 
contact with dissidents had increased under the new EU 
policy, both bilaterally and in monthly EU meetings. 
However, he expressed a degree of caution, noting that some 
dissidents and civil society members were not characteristic 
or representative of Cubans as a whole, but rather out for 
themselves.  Parfait expressed satisfaction that the May 20 
dissident meeting had been allowed to occur, but contrasted 
this to the fact that dissidents were still unjustly 
imprisoned.  In addition to interaction with dissidents, 
Parfait hoped to increase contact with the broader Cuban 
community.  Parfait recognized that the Cuban government 
prevented the U.S. from communicating as much as it would 
like with the Cuban populace and admitted that the French had 
little contact outside of Havana.  Parfait wrapped up the 
meeting by emphasizing that while our methods differed, our 
goals were the same, and pushing for increased dialogue with 
the U.S. at all levels to compare impressions and share 
assessments. 
 
Comment 
------- 
5.  (C) It is noteworthy that Parfait did not criticize U.S. 
Cuba policy during the meeting and mentioned the embargo only 
once in passing.  France has been helpful in securing the 
passage of resolutions critical of Cuba in the last several 
sessions of the Commission on Human Rights.  Although it has 
tended to defer to the Spanish on the EU common position on 
Cuba, France may be among the countries to target when the 
sanctions come under review again next summer.  End Comment. 
 
6.  (U) Principal Officer Designate Michael Parmly did not 
clear this cable before its transmission. 
WOLFF