US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON2618

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 002618 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) AND WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2015 
TAGS: CU, ETRD, ETTC, PREL, JM 
SUBJECT: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW REGARDING SUSPENSION OF TITLE 
III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 207359 
     B. KINGSTON 01447 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda Johnson for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (SBU) Post is unaware of any recent measures taken by the 
GOJ to advance democracy, human rights, and fundamental 
freedoms in Cuba.  Post has no evidence that the GOJ has 
substantially changed its policies or actions toward Cuba in 
the six months since the submission of our last assessment in 
June 2005 (Ref B).  Jamaica continues to maintain cordial 
diplomatic relations with Cuba, its close geographical 
neighbor. 
 
2. (U) In the past six months, Post is aware of two 
cooperative ventures between Havana and Kingston.  In July, 
the Cuban government expanded the medical program &Mision 
Milagro8 (Mission Miracle) to residents of the Caribbean, 
providing operations in Cuba free of charge for people with 
cataracts or other treatable eye conditions.  Many of the 
beneficiaries of the Cuban eye ophthalmological program are 
indigent Jamaicans, many of whom had long been languishing on 
GOJ public health waiting lists.  This type of assistance by 
the GOC has great public relations value, and the Castro 
government's motives in providing such care are rarely if 
ever questioned by Jamaicans.  The program has received much 
favorable press in Jamaica, with a number of rural residents 
availing themselves of the plan. 
 
3. (U) Jamaica and Cuba have also entered into a cooperation 
agreement on energy conservation, under which Cuba will 
provide energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs to every 
household in East Kingston and Port Royal by March 2006 (both 
are poorer areas).  Furthermore, Cuba will assist in 
Jamaica,s Rural Electrification Program and explore the uses 
of hydroponics and biotechnology for inner city communities. 
In return, Jamaica will offer technical expertise and support 
for the establishment of wind farms in Cuba. 
 
4. (C) Post continues to believe that suspension of the right 
to bring action in U.S. courts against entities and nationals 
trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba is necessary to 
U.S. interests.  Singling out Jamaican entities or nationals 
for prosecution would be counterproductive in achieving other 
USG objectives.  In Post,s view, proceeding with the 
implementation of Title III of the Libertad Act would 
seriously complicate, and perhaps even compromise, our 
efforts in areas of agreement.  Actions against Jamaican 
nationals would likely provoke a strong response from GOJ, at 
a time when continued dialogue and close cooperation on 
issues such as supporting the upcoming Haitian elections and 
continuing our engagement with the GOJ to get them to better 
appreciate Venezuela's likely hidden motives in PetroCaribe 
implementation, is needed. 
TIGHE