Wikileaks: NZ's relationship with Cuba

Wikileaks: NZ's relationship with Cuba
Tuesday, 21 December 2010, 9:33 am
Press Release: Wikileaks

Wikileaks cable: NZ's relationship with Cuba

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

June 29, 2004 New Zealand's relationship with Cuba

1. (C) The Government of New Zealand formalized diplomatic relations
with Cuba in 2001, with their Ambassador resident in Mexico City
accredited to Havana. According to Mike Shaw, Americas Division, New
Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the GoNZ uses meetings
with Cuban officials to "express its concern over the human rights
situation in Cuba, and encourage moves towards democratization and the
promotion of human rights. These include the proper treatment of those
who hold political views in opposition to the Cuban government." 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 extraterritoriality grounds. The GoNZ is strongly supportive
of U.S. positions re Cuba's human rights record, and use of Title III
would jeopardize continued good-faith cooperation.

2. (SBU) Economically, Cuba was New Zealand's 40th largest trading
partner in calendar year 2003, with exports to Cuba at NZ$68 million
(USD42.1 million,) and imports at NZ$934,000 (USD579,000.) 97 percent of
these exports were in the dairy sector, specifically milk powder. Swindells

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1012/S00665/wikileaks-nzs-relationship-with-cuba.htm