Cuba hints at desire to begin formal talks with U.S.

Posted on Wed, Dec. 13, 2006

Cuba hints at desire to begin formal talks with U.S.
By Pablo Bachelet
McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - The Swiss ambassador to Havana came to Washington last
month in what's believed to be an effort to deliver a Cuban message
reiterating Havana's eagerness to open contacts with the Bush
administration, several persons familiar with the trip said Wednesday.

Ambassador Bertrand Louis met with State Department officials and
influential members of the Cuban-American community in Washington,
including Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, the people added. They
spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the
communications.

The Swiss Embassy in Washington confirmed the visit but declined to
comment on its purpose. But those who met with Louis believe he came as
an emissary of Havana to repeat the message of Raul Castro that he's
willing to open talks with the Bush administration - something
Washington has refused to do so far.

In his talks with Cuban-Americans, Louis also explored the exile
community's possible responses to Cuba's search for a dialogue with
Washington, according to those who met with him.

The Louis visit was the first signal that Castro is pulling diplomatic
levers beyond public view to communicate his position, several Cuba
watchers said. Raul Castro has twice expressed a readiness to talk with
Washington since his brother Fidel surrendered power July 31 because of
a still undisclosed ailment.

The State Department was tightlipped on the Swiss envoy's visit and on
any efforts that may be taking place to bring the United States and Cuba
to the negotiating table.

"We decline to comment on our diplomatic consultations," said Eric
Watnik, a spokesman for the State Department.

The United States and Cuba don't have formal diplomatic relations.
Switzerland acts as official host to the Cuban mission in Washington and
to the U.S. mission in Havana, known as Interests Sections.

Raul Castro first made his offer to negotiate with Washington in an
August interview with Cuba's official Granma newspaper and then again on
Dec. 2, in a speech marking Fidel's 80th birthday.

In both instances, he conditioned the talks on Washington respecting
Cuba's "independence" - an apparent rejection of Washington's condition
that Cuba must commit itself to a democratic path before any earnest
engagement can begin.

The Bush administration has repeatedly said it has nothing to discuss
with Cuba at this time, a message that officials reiterated to the Swiss
envoy in Washington, according to those familiar with the visit.

The State Department's top Latin America official, Thomas Shannon, told
reporters Wednesday that the administration has made it clear "at a
variety of levels" that the Cuban authorities had to initiate a dialogue
with their own people before talking to the United States.

"We're attentive to what will happen after Fidel Castro passes from the
scene," he said, "but when we engage it has to be part of a process of
democratic change."

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