This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

191657Z Jul 04

ACTION WHA-00   

INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AMAD-00  CIAE-00  INL-00   DODE-00  DS-00    
      EAP-00   EUR-00   H-00     TEDE-00  INR-00   NSAE-00  OMB-00   
      PA-00    FMPC-00  R-00     EPAE-00  ECA-00   DSCC-00  PRM-00   
      DRL-00   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00     /000W
                  ------------------41F835  191702Z /38    
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4574
INFO EU MEMBER STATES  PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L  PARIS 005419 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR EUR/WE AND WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2014 
TAGS: PREL PHUM CU FR
SUBJECT: GOF/NGOS AND CUBAN OUTREACH 
 
REF: A. PARIS 4951 
 
     ¶B. STATE 152813 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: The GOF shares USG goals of facilitating a 
transition towards democracy, supporting Cuban Civil society, 
and preparing for a post-dictatorship Cuba.  The GOF, French 
public, and NGOs, however, are critical of the US embargo of 
Cuba.  France's Cuba policy remains anchored in the EU common 
position.  To be most effective, a USG initiative should be 
cast as an effort to initiate a dialogue with the EU -- in 
capitals and in Brussels -- on possible joint action.  French 
NGOs, several currently engaged with Cuban civil society, are 
more likely to respond to overtures from US-based NGOs than 
from the USG. End Summary. 
 
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GOF 
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¶2.  (U) The GOF holds to the common EU position on Cuba, 
adopted by the EU Council of Ministers in December 1996.  In 
response to Cuba's arrest of 75 dissidents in March 2003 and 
reinstatement of the death penalty, France, along with the 
other members of the European Union, condemned the abuse of 
human rights and fundamental freedoms and instituted a number 
of sanctions in a June 5, 2003 declaration and reaffirmed its 
position in regards to Cuba and the previously imposed 
restrictions in its statement of June 14, 2004.  In observing 
these restrictions, France has, among other things, invited a 
number of dissidents to the July 14, 2003 Bastille Day 
celebration in Havana.  A May 2003 reevaluation and 
redistribution of its bilateral assistance to Cuba resulted 
in Havana unilaterally refusing French assistance and 
severing negotiations on new programs.  Castro has also cut 
official contact between the GOC and the French Embassy in 
Havana.  Most recently, France and other EU member states 
voted with the United States to condemn the human rights 
situation in Cuba in a close 22 to 21 vote April 15 at the 
60th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. 
 
¶3.  (U) The mayors of Strasbourg and Paris have both 
supported the twinning of libraries in France with 
independent libraries in Cuba through the Support Group for 
the Independent Libraries (Paris). 
 
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NGOs 
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¶4.  (U) There are a number of French NGOs very active in 
promoting human rights and the peaceful transition toward 
democracy in Cuba.  Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters 
Without Borders) has sharply criticized the regime in Havana, 
calling Castro a "predator of press freedom" and labeling 
Cuba as "the world's biggest prison for journalists."   They 
have actively encouraged European parliamentarians to sign a 
"Brussels Declaration" in which they undertake to constantly 
petition the Cuban government for the release of the 75 
dissidents arrested in March 2003 and to call on the 
"European Commission and Council to pursue policies 
consistent with this goal."  Reporters Without Borders has 
also launched a campaign aimed at discouraging the 
approximately 800,000 European tourists who visit Cuba each 
year, employing the slogan, "Cuba Si, Castro No." 
 
¶5.  (U) The Free Cuba Solidarity Collective is made up of 
representatives from several other NGOs operating out of 
France, including Action Droits de l,Homme, Free Cuba 
European Association, and the Third Cuban Republic 
Association.  They organize a weekly protest in front of the 
Cuban Embassy in Paris and arranged a meeting in April 
between members of the French National Assembly and Cuban 
dissidents in Paris to thank the representatives for their 
solidarity in sponsoring 79 Cuban political prisoners. 
 
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Assessment 
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¶6.  (C) Comment: There is support in France for the promotion 
of human rights and democratic development in a post-Castro 
Cuba, but there is also a widespread public view that the US 
embargo of Cuba makes life more difficult for the average 
Cuban without materially changing Castro-regime policy.  This 
view is shared at the policy level in the GOF, and is also 
reflected in the EU common policy on Cuba, to which France 
will continue to adhere.  To be most effective, a USG 
approach seeking to encourage greater activism in support of 
Cuban opposition groups and to exert greater pressure on the 
Castro regime to respect human rights should be cast as a 
 
desire to dialogue with the EU -- in capitals and in Brussels 
-- to explore possible joint measures.  There is also scope 
for discussion with key Parliamentarians about how to best 
support the cause of human rights and democratic transition 
in Cuba.  Several active NGOs exist in France that currently 
coordinate efforts with some members of Cuban civil society. 
These NGOs share the public and official criticism of the US 
embargo of Cuba, and would therefore be more receptive to 
suggestions for joint efforts coming from US-based NGOs than 
from the USG.  End Comment. 
Leach 
 
 
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