Cablegate: Panama: Cuba Demarche Delivered

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C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000168

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU CU PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: CUBA DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 18320

Classified By: Ambassador William A. Eaton. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).

(C) "Do not expect us to make any public comment," First VP
and FM Samuel Lewis told Ambassador on February 24 in
response to reftel demarche. Repeating an oft stated desire
to serve as "bridge to Cuba," Lewis asserted that Panama was
pushing Cuba to do "something" themselves before "external
pressure" created an impetus for reform, but Lewis provided
no specifics as to what "something" might constitute. Hoping
for positive developments, Lewis noted that it would be
important to see who would be selected as Vice President and
members of the State Council. Asserting that he perceived
"signals that Raul would implement change," Lewis said that
he thought there would be more movement towards "greater
democracy," "transparency," and "economic liberalization."
Also, Lewis informed Ambassador that Panamanian President
Martin Torrijos would likely travel to Cuba in the
(unspecified) near future for medical treatment for his
handicapped daughter. Comment: Post has no expectations
that Panama will do anything public any time soon to pressure
for democratic change, greater respect for human rights
norms, or any other reform in Cuba.
ARREAGA

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