VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHZP #1708 2991644
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 261644Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1328
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0082
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001708
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR IO/UNP (J. MARIZ)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017
TAGS: UNGA ETRD PHUM UN CU PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION
DELIVERED
REF: STATE 148506
Classified By: Classified by POLCOUNS Brian R. Naranjo. Reason: 1.4 (
d)
(C) Panama did not want to "jeopardize" its role as an
interlocutor with Cuba and bridge between Cuba and its
hemispheric neighbors, Panamanian First VP and FM Samuel
Lewis explained on October 26 during breakfast with
Ambassador when reftel demarche was presented. Lewis
demurred on whether Panama would vote against or at a minimum
abstain on Cuba's annual UNGA resolution condemning the U.S.
economic embargo against Cuba. Post has also delivered
reftel demarche to MFA DG for International Political Affairs
Javier Bonagas, but received no substantive response. Lewis,
who planned to travel to Havana November 3-4 to participate
in a trade show, was very proud of President Torrijos'
achievements in establishing amicable relations with all its
hemispheric neighbors, including Cuba. Lewis said that
Panama would continue to play a useful role brokering
relations across the political spectrum of the Western
Hemisphere. Comment: It is highly unlikely that the U.S.
will be able to garner Panama's support to oppose this
resolution, but rather Panama will continue to vote for this
resolution.
EATON