Cablegate: Finland Prefers Common E.U. Engagement with Cuba

VZCZCXYZ0006
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHE #0027 0201725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201725Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5394
POLX

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000027

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL SOCI CU
SUBJECT: FINLAND PREFERS COMMON E.U. ENGAGEMENT WITH CUBA

REF: SECSTATE 131637

1. (SBU) Pol/Econoff spoke with Ingmar Strom, Counsellor in
the MFA's Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean affairs,
regarding reftel talking points. Strom noted that the GOF
prefers to engage Cuba through a common EU position but that
this has been made more difficult by a few EU members which
are willing to engage Cuba outside of the common position.
While preferring not to list those few other member states,
he noted that Spain is a special case because of historic
ties to Cuba and Spain's individual engagement should not be
viewed as weakening the common position. Though recognizing
Spain's special circumstances, Strom went on to state that
the GOF would prefer Spain to engage Cuba through a common EU
agreement.

2. (SBU) The GOF recognizes that Cuba is attempting to
undermine the EU's common position by establishing bilateral
relations with EU countries which regularly engage with Cuba.
The GOF is aware of Cuba's interest in securing agreements
with particular EU members that would limit communication
with Cuban civil rights groups. While Strom is concerned of
a weaking of the EU common position he believes that the EU
can engage Cuba on the full range of issues including
improvements in the human rights conditions.

3. (SBU) Per reftel, Pol/Econoff also asked about areas that
USG and GOF could better cooperate in regarding Cuba. Strom
answered that he did not see any areas in which the USG and
GOF could more closely cooperate at this time.
ORECK

© Scoop Media