WikiLeaks cable: NZ policies and actions taken with regard to Cuba

This is one of the diplomatic cables about New Zealand held by Wikileaks.

2 December, 2004
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND POLICIES AND ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARD TO CUBA

This record is a partial extract of the original cable.

The full text of the original cable is not available.

Classified By: ECONOMIC OFFICER JOY YAMAMOTO, FOR REASONS 1.4(B,D)

1. (C) The Government of New Zealand formalized diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2001, with its Ambassador resident in Mexico City accredited to Havana. The GoNZ uses meetings with Cuban officials to express its concern over the human rights situation in Cuba (ref B), according to Mike Shaw, Americas Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This is consistent with the GoNZ's policy of engagement with states that have poor human rights records. Post is unaware of any NZ entity or nationals who would be subject to Title III of the LIBERTAD Act. The GoNZ would strenuously object to any effort to apply Title III to a NZ national or entity on extraterritorial grounds. The GoNZ is strongly supportive of U.S. positions on Cuba's human rights record, and use of Title III would jeopardize continued good-faith cooperation.

2. (SBU) Economically, Cuba was New Zealand's 45th largest trading partner in the year ending June 2004, with exports to Cuba at NZ$61.8 million (USD43.2 million) and imports at NZ$919,000 (USD643,000). Of these exports, 97 percent were in the dairy sector, specifically milk powder. Culturally, ties continue to strengthen. In October, the Cuban Ambassador to New Zealand, who is resident in Canberra, hosted a film festival in New Zealand, in response to a New Zealand film festival held in Havana in February.

Swindells