US embassy cable - 05PARIS7779

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007779 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, FR, CU 
SUBJECT: FRENCH CUBA POLICY: WAITING FOR A GESTURE 
 
REF: PARIS 7145 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) In a November 15 meeting with Deputy Political 
Counselor and PolOff, MFA DAS-equivalent for Mexico, Central 
America, and the Caribbean Pierre-Alain Coffinier clarified 
the French position on Cuba in the aftermath of FM Perez 
Roque's visit October 11 (reftel).  Coffinier characterized 
the July 13 and July 22 arrests of dissidents as 
"incomprehensible" and a "provocation" to France, despite GoF 
efforts (which Coffinier conceded was a liberal 
interpretation of EU policy) "to engage in dialogue" with 
both dissidents and the GoC by holding national day events on 
different days.  As a result, French FM Douste-Blazy had put 
Perez Roque on notice during their October 11 bilat that 
France was "waiting for a gesture" from Cuba, specifically 
the release of dissidents. 
 
2.  (C) Asked specifically whether Douste-Blazy's harder line 
with Perez Roque reflected a French policy shift, Coffinier 
responded that the change in the French line was one of tone 
or tactics rather than substance.  The GoF he said, was 
currently taking a wait-and-see approach on Cuba, although it 
did not exclude the possibility of a more substantive change 
in the absence of action on the part of the GoC.  Asked 
whether the GoF was thinking in terms of weeks or months, 
however, Coffinier declined to give a precise deadline for 
any such "gesture." 
 
3.  (C) Comment.  Coffinier's comments confirm previous MFA 
indications that the French were deeply offended by the July 
crackdowns and have taken the GoC to task as a result. 
Unfortunately, French umbrage has not led to a permanent 
policy shift.  While current French demands constitute a 
positive half-step, the lack of a deadline for results allows 
the GoC far too much leeway.  Given past policy, the GoF may 
be satisfied by a "gesture" that falls far short of the total 
release of political prisoners and dissidents, particularly 
if it feels there is a diplomatic advantage to doing so. 
While this shift -- however slight -- may offer an opening 
for those in the EU who would prefer a tougher stance against 
the Castro regime, it is no doubt too early to conclude that 
it will deprive the Zapatero government of a strong ally in 
its efforts to water down the EU common foreign policy on 
Cuba.  End Comment. 
 
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm 
Hofmann