

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07OTTAWA1359, CANADA'S RESPONSE TO INTERNET FREEDOM RESTRICTIONS IN CUBA
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07OTTAWA1359.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
07OTTAWA1359 | 2007-07-13 16:04 | 2011-04-28 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ottawa |
VZCZCXRO2285
RR RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG
RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #1359/01 1941620
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131620Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6143
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0021
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 001359
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/CAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINT PREL ECON TINT CU CA XL XG
SUBJECT: CANADA'S RESPONSE TO INTERNET FREEDOM RESTRICTIONS IN CUBA
REF: STATE 89911
OTTAWA 00001359 001.2 OF 002
¶1. Summary: Embassy Ottawa delivered information regarding the lack
of internet freedom in Cuba to Foreign Affairs Canada's Cuba desk on
July 6. Canadian officials expressed concern for Cubans' lack of
internet access and reassured us that they place no credibility in
Cuban claims that this is due to USG sanctions. DFAIT officials
were intrigued by the scope and scale of the USINT internet effort
and promised to consider whether and how they might emulate our
efforts. DFAIT officials also briefly discussed Canada's
"two-track" strategy for engagement with Cuba. End summary.
¶2. Emboffs delivered on July 6 reftel information regarding the lack
of internet freedom in Cuba to Michael Kaduck, Deputy Director for
Cuba, Dominican Republic and the Central American states and Louise
Crosby, Cuba Desk Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade (DFAIT). We stated that Cuban government claims
that USG sanctions are responsible for the country's restrictive
internet laws and low levels of internet accessibility lacked
validity. DFAIT officials expressed concern for Cubans' lack of
internet access, and dismay at Havana's accusations directed toward
the USG and reassured us that they were well aware of the lack of
credibility to the claims. DFAIT officials agreed with the USG
assessment that poor infrastructure and Cuba's restrictive internet
laws are responsible for the lack of unobstructed internet access
for Cubans.
¶3. Emboffs suggested to DFAIT officials that the Canadian Embassy in
Havana consider offering services similar to those currently
provided by USINT Havana, such as internet workstations to allow
Cubans access to the internet and long-distance communications
without strict monitoring by the Castro regime. DFAIT officials
were intrigued by the scope and scale of the USINT internet effort
and promised to consider whether and how they might emulate our
efforts. DFAIT officials acknowledged the importance of internet
access and unrestricted information sharing among Cuban civil
society groups and those outside Cuba. The Canadian government
views the unimpeded access to technology and information as being
instrumental to the development of a strong civil society and
functioning democracy. Canada is constantly monitoring the
situation in Cuba and will continue to provide what it deems as an
appropriate level of representation and involvement. Kuduck and
Crosby did offer the caveat, however, that Canada's diplomatic
presence in Cuba is modest (seven Canadian officers) and it was
unlikely that there would be a Canadian effort to provide internet
access in the very near-term.
Canada's "two-track" strategy for engaging Cuba
--------------------------------------------- --
¶4. Kaduck and Crosby also described Canada's two-track engagement
strategy. The GOC is trying to position itself to better facilitate
an orderly transition from the Castro regime to a new government and
therefore within the last year, Ottawa has taken a somewhat more
active stance toward Cuba. It is a "two track" approach, where
Canadian officials engage with both the top level of the Cuban
government and with a broader swath of the Cuban citizenry,
including civil society groups in an attempt to slowly change the
mindsets of the population of Cuba, without being seen as
interfering in Cuba. Our interlocutors noted the approach needs to
be very carefully balanced in order to be accepted by both groups.
¶5. For example, Canada's Deputy Foreign Minister Len Edwards visited
Q5. For example, Canada's Deputy Foreign Minister Len Edwards visited
Cuba in May 2007 and met with, among others, Cuban First Deputy
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodrguez Parrilla. In a statement Edwards
noted that both countries recognized the need to continue to deepen
trade, investment, and tourism ties.
¶6. To balance these interactions, the GoC also sponsors Canadian
speakers to come to Cuba to meet with a broad range of Cuban
citizens. For example, the Canadian Embassy in Havana hosted
Supreme Court of Canada Justice Michel Bastarache in Cuba from
February 23 to 28, 2007. The centerpiece of Justice Bastarache's
visit was his speech at the historic "Aula Magna" of the University
of Havana, in which he discussed Canada's system of government and
the transformative nature of the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms on Canadian society. The audience was composed of
academics, law students, government officials, Havana-based
diplomats and the Cuban media. The Canadian government has also
invited eleven Cuban economists later this autumn to attend a forum
hosted by Carleton University (in Ottawa) on the Cuban Economy and
the potential for a transfer to a market economy. This forum, it is
anticipated, will help bring new insights on freedom and market
economies to the Cuban public.
¶7. This cable was prepared jointly by ECON Intern Ben Mazer and POL
Intern Brittany Breakwell.
Dickson
OTTAWA 00001359 002.2 OF 002
Official conversations took place on May 25, 2007 in Havana between
the First Deputy Ministers of Canada and Cuba, Leonard J. Edwards
and Bruno Rodrguez Parrilla.
During the meeting, Rodrguez Parrilla said that Cuban-Canadian
relations are "an example of exchange between two countries with
different systems but similar interests". He also highlighted their
common stance on many international situations, and expressed
gratitude for Canada's support at the UN General Assembly to the
resolution condemning Washington's embargo against the island.
For his part, Edwards noted the continuation of bilateral relations
despite some differences, and the two countries' capacity to talk
sincerely and with "mutual respect" about all topics. Edwards also
said this visit was a great opportunity to exchange opinions with
Cuban leaders and review the state of bilateral trade relations.
"Both parts coincided on the need of continuing deepening trade,
investments, tourism and other spheres of cooperation" between the
two countries, he reported.
On April the 6th, 2006 a big reception was held at the Embassy of
Cuba to celebrate the occasion. Officials of the Canadian
Government, Members of the Parliament, businessmen, scholars,
journalists, friends of Cuba, members of the Cuban community in
Canada, and members of the Diplomatic Corpse were among those seen
in the celebration.
Rafael Dausa, Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended
this important event as part of his one-week official visit to
Canada from the 3rd to the 9th of April.
The Cuban Ambassador, Ernesto Sent, was in charge of the ceremony
opening speech, highlighting the solid links between the two
countries in different fields such as tourism, trade, investments,
and cooperation and expressed the interest that Cuba has in
strengthening the bilateral relations under the conditions of mutual
respect and understanding.
Speeches were also delivered by important personalities in Canadian
politics: Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture; Peter Harder,
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Senator Marcel Prudhomme.
Minister Andy Mitchell highlighted the excellent results of his
recent visit to Cuba and the meeting with the Cuban President, Fidel
Castro. He also expressed his satisfaction with the Cuban decision
to open again its borders to Canadian cattle imports as well as with
the new trading contracts recently signed between the two countries.
He also predicted the interest of Canada to widen and increase the
commercial and economic links with the Cuban nation.
The 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations offers a good
opportunity to promote better understanding between the people and
Governments of the two countries.
Canadian authorities have expressed deep concern and strongly
protested to Cuban authorities the incarceration and harsh
sentencing of 75 Cuban dissidents in March and April 2003. Senior
government officials have directly raised concerns about the health
and prison conditions of the "75" at meetings with senior Cuban
officials. Given the peaceful nature of the dissidents' activities,
Canada's position is that the severe restrictions on freedom of
expression cannot be justified on the grounds of national security.
The Canadian government has therefore requested the release of the
imprisoned dissidents, with immediate consideration for those in
poor health.
The last public statement this government has made about Cuba was
last summer (2006), when Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay
Qlast summer (2006), when Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay
emphasized Canada's "sovereign, independent position vis-a-vis our
relations with Cuba." In Novemberm 2006, Canada was among 183 other
countries to vote against the U.S. embargo of Cuba at the United
Nations General Assembly.