VZCZCXRO1084
OO RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHTH #0291 0601124
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 291124Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1317
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0013 C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000291 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018 
TAGS:            
SUBJECT: DISCOURAGING EU DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER'S VISIT 
TO CUBA 
 
REF: STATE 20108 
 
Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
(C) A/Political Counselor delivered reftel points 
discouraging EU Development Commissioner Michel's proposed 
visit to Cuba to Chris Maniakis-Grivas, the Deputy Director 
of the MFA's Directorate for Latin American and the 
Caribbean.  Maniakis-Grivas said Brussels had reported U.S. 
concerns with the Michel visit.  He noted that member states 
have "difficulties in controlling EU Commissioners," adding 
that in this particular case, there are genuine differences 
among EU members about how best to engage Raul Castro's Cuba. 
 He said the trip was likely to take place.  Maniakis-Grivas 
took on board our points that should Michel travel to Cuba, 
he should meet with representatives of dissidents and civil 
society and should call for the release of political 
prisoners.  Maniakis-Grivas said that Greece would seek to 
encourage thinking in Brussels along those lines.  He added, 
however, that Greece is not among the major players within 
the EU on Latin American matters. 
SPECKHARD