US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3191

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003191 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015 
TAGS: PREL, ETRD, ETTC, CU, NL 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CUBA: SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE 
LIBERTAD ACT 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 207359 
     B. THE HAGUE 01439 
     C. THE HAGUE 01626 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew J. Schofer for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: Post recommends the President continue 
suspension of Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic 
Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act with regard to the Netherlands. 
Renewed suspension of the LIBERTAD Act for the Netherlands is 
in the national interest and will expedite a transition to 
democracy in Cuba.  The Dutch continue to cooperate toward 
our shared goal of a free and democratic Cuba; Foreign 
Minister Bot recently explained to Dutch Parliament that 
Dutch policies and activities emphasize promotion of human 
rights and freedoms. The Dutch strive to forge a common EU 
position on Cuba, which they view as essential for advancing 
the cause of Cuban dissidents.  Dutch NGOs continue to 
advocate for a democratic post-Castro Cuba and to speak out 
against arbitrary detention of prisoners of conscience. 
Dutch investment in Cuba is minimal.  END SUMMARY 
 
DUTCH POLICY EMPHASIZES PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
2. (C)  The Netherlands continues to actively promote a 
common EU position in Cuba with the long term goal of 
democratic change; In June 2005, Foreign Minister Bot 
explained to the Dutch Parliament that "maintaining a 
unanimous Cuba policy is of major importance to the policy's 
effectiveness." During the same address, Bot pointed to the 
Dutch Embassy's presence at the Easter March of "Damas de 
Blanco" (wives and relatives of imprisoned Cuban dissidents) 
and at a May meeting with members of the Asamblea para 
Promover la Sociedad Civil (Assembly for the Promotion of 
Civil Society) as evidence of Dutch, and EU, concern for 
human rights in Cuba.  Bot approvingly added, "the visit of 
any EU official is always used to raise the human rights 
situation in Cuba and to press for the release of all 
political prisoners." 
 
3. (C)  The Dutch view themselves as a voice of moderation in 
the EU between Spain's active engagement with Cuba and the 
"hard" line espoused by the Czech Republic (ref B).  Peter 
van der Geer (Policy Officer, Western Hemisphere Affairs 
Department, MFA) explained the Dutch instinctively lean more 
toward the Czech way of thinking but are prepared to strike a 
more conciliatory posture in the interest of articulating a 
common EU position. 
 
4. (C) While the Dutch are willing to bend a little in order 
to harmonize with its EU partners, they remain steadfast in 
their condemnation of human rights conditions in Cuba.    In 
his June remarks to the Dutch Parliament, Bot asserted that, 
if the EU common position did not result in an improvement of 
the human rights situation, "the government of the 
Netherlands will press for further intensification of support 
to peaceful dissidents, including support to free and 
independent media, and initiatives that may increase the 
Cuban people's access to objective news sources." 
 
DUTCH NGOS FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA 
---------------------------------------- 
 
5. (C) Several Dutch NGOs actively promote awareness of human 
rights conditions in Cuba.  Cuba Futuro, an Amsterdam-based 
NGO with which Post is in close contact, regularly posts 
information of arbitrary arrests and detentions of political 
prisoners on their website, www.cuba-futuro.org.  On November 
16, Cuba Futuro posted a detailed condemnation of the 
arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of six dissidents.  Cuba 
Futuro also maintains close contact with Dutch government 
counterparts; Van der Geer explained that his office often 
coordinates activities with the group. 
 
DUTCH INVESTMENT IN CUBA 
------------------------ 
 
6. (C) Dutch investment in Cuba has changed little since 
Post's previous report (ref C). Dutch investment therefore 
remains minimal.  The largest Dutch business interest in Cuba 
is Damex Shipyards, which operates a facility in Santiago (El 
Nispero Shipyard). UK-Dutch consumer products company 
Unilever and Netherlands-based international bank ING 
maintain small sales and representation offices. 
BLAKEMAN