VZCZCXRO2297
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHCP #0419 1211356
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 011356Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3435
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0003

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000419 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2017 
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV ECON CU EUN DA
SUBJECT: CUBA TRANSITION COORDINATOR'S CONSULTATIONS WITH 
THE DANES 
 
REF: STATE 52623 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d 
 
¶1. (C) U.S. Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry 
reviewed for Danish officials and media U.S. priorities for 
supporting democracy in Cuba during his April 23 visit to 
Copenhagen, underscoring the importance of complementary 
approaches from the European Union. McCarry emphasized that 
the Cuba's future is for the Cuban people themselves to 
decide, noting that there have been encouraging signs of 
change in popular mood since Fidel Castro transferred power 
to his brother Raul last July.  It is especially important 
that the European Union not undermine its Common Position on 
Cuba at this critical juncture, McCarry argued, urging a 
renewed focus on securing the release of political prisoners. 
 
¶2. (C) Danish MFA Head of Department for Latin America Susan 
Ulbaek welcomed McCarry's analysis of developments in Cuba 
and his review of U.S. engagement with democratic forces. 
She allowed that Denmark, without an embassy in Havana or any 
significant commercial interests, had limited itself to 
general expressions of support for human rights in Cuba, but 
indicated that the Danish government shares our concern about 
the direction of EU policy (in a meeting with us the previous 
week, Ulbaek's deputy had been sharply critical of Spanish FM 
Moratinos' recent visit to Havana).  Ulbaek observed that 
differences between the U.S. and the EU (e.g., over the 
embargo and Helms-Burton) tend to become exaggerated over 
time and force otherwise like-minded member states, such as 
Denmark, on the defensive within the EU.  The result is that 
U.S. policy becomes the issue, rather than focusing on what 
the EU can do to advance democracy in Cuba, she said. 
 
¶3. (C) Ulbaek encouraged us to think about making a "bold 
move" toward Cuba, perhaps on economic or trade policy, that 
could put the Cuban regime back squarely on the defensive and 
improve the U.S. position with the rest of Latin America. 
Such a measure could regain us the moral high ground, she 
argued, and would revitalize international efforts to promote 
human rights and democratic reform in Cuba.  Ulbaek indicated 
that she welcomed intensified efforts on political prisoners 
and agreed to McCarry's suggestion to telephone the wife of 
imprisoned dissident Dr. Biscet as a signal of Danish support. 
 
¶4. (C) McCarry also reviewed Cuba policy with the chair of 
the Danish parliamentary foreign policy committee, Gitte 
Lillelund Bech, who had traveled to Latin America last month 
and also welcomed hearing directly from us about the changes 
underway in Cuba.  Bech reported that the small Danish 
Communist Party had protested McCarry's visit, prompting some 
opposition members of parliament to demand explanations from 
her and the MFA, but in the end none were sufficiently 
disturbed to come and express their concerns personally (Bech 
had issued a general invitation to the meeting with McCarry). 
 Bech welcomed McCarry's report on the recent "Unity for 
Freedom" declaration and expressed support for maintaining a 
firm EU policy on Cuba. 
 
¶5. (U) The Danish center-left national daily "Politiken" 
featured its interview with McCarry in a full-page article 
April 25, entitled "An American guide to Cuba after Castro." 
The article included critical references to the U.S. embargo 
and the local Cuban ambassador's brusque dismissal of 
McCarry's mission, but it also highlighted McCarry's message 
that the U.S. is working to support the Cuban people and even 
directed readers to the website of the Commission for 
Assistance to a Free Cuba (CAFC). 
 
¶6. (C)Comment: The Danes were clearly pleased to compare 
notes with McCarry on Cuba and now have a better appreciation 
for what we are trying to do there.  McCarry's discussions 
and our previous exchanges with Danish officials suggest that 
the Danes will be supportive on Cuba, but do not feel 
themselves in a position to lead the fight within the EU on 
this issue.  We believe, however, that they are prepared to 
do more, and we would welcome suggestions on initiatives and 
projects that we could pitch to the Danish government. 
CAIN