This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 006466
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CCA AND WHA/CAR-MCISAAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CU ETTC DR
SUBJECT: CUBA: COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY REVIEW RE SUSPENSION OF
TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT
REF: A. STATE 248337
B. SANTO DOMINGO 3825
1. (SBU) In response to para 6 Ref A, Embassy finds there has
been no marked change in the Dominican Republic's situation
with regard to Cuba since our last report (Ref B).
2. (SBU) The administration of President Fernandez, which
took office August 16, has so far taken a low profile on
Cuban issues. As in previous years, the Dominican Republic
in October joined the overwhelming majority of nations that
approved a UNGA resolution criticizing the U.S. economic
embargo against Cuba. On November 25-26 in Santo Domingo,
Dominican and Cuban officials held annual discussions on a
program of technical cooperation and exchanges for 2005,
continuing arrangements established under a 1998 agreement
(details forthcoming septel).
3. (SBU) Embassy considers that U.S. national interests and
the actions of the Dominican Government fully justify a
renewal of the waiver of Title III of the Libertad Act with
regard to Dominican businesses that may be involved in joint
ventures with the Government of Cuba or significant trade
with Cuba. Embassy inquiries have not resulted in
identification of any Dominican companies or entities with
investments or joint ventures that would trigger Title III
concerns. There is very little Dominican investment in Cuba,
and Embassy has no information about any conflict between
Dominican investors and U.S. citizens with property claims in
Cuba. Embassy has not received complaints by any U.S.
citizens against any Dominican company related to any
investment in Cuba or DR-Cuba trade.
4. (SBU) The past Dominican administration cast a crucial
vote to pass the Cuba resolution in the 60th Human Rights
Commission meeting in Geneva. The new administration, in
office since August 16, is still defining its foreign policy.
If the suspension of Title III were not renewed and a U.S.
citizen were to bring suit against an entity under Title III,
its extraterritorial reach could affect the possibility of
obtaining future Dominican support for diplomatic initiatives
on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.
HERTELL