Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA6815
2004-12-08 10:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

CUBA: NON-EXISTENT TURKISH INVESTMENT; GOT

Tags:  CU ETTC PHUM PREL TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006815 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA AND EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014
TAGS: CU ETTC PHUM PREL TU
SUBJECT: CUBA: NON-EXISTENT TURKISH INVESTMENT; GOT
SUPPORTS DEMOCRATIZATION

REF: STATE 257651

Classified By: Classified by Thomas Goldberger, Economic Counselor, for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006815

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CCA AND EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014
TAGS: CUBA'>CU ETTC PHUM PREL TU
SUBJECT: CUBA: NON-EXISTENT TURKISH INVESTMENT; GOT
SUPPORTS DEMOCRATIZATION

REF: STATE 257651

Classified By: Classified by Thomas Goldberger, Economic Counselor, for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) Reftel requested information on GOT policies in
support of democracy and human rights in CUBA, as well as on
an Turkish investments in CUBA. The Turkish MFA maintains
that it has raised democracy, human rights and fundamental
freedoms with CUBA, though there have been no specific
initiatives or actions on this in the last six months.


2. (U) Based on information provided by the Foreign Trade
Undersecretariat (FTU),Turkish nationals do not now maintain
any investments in CUBA. Turkish state-owned tobacco company
TEKEL had formed a joint venture with CUBAn state-owned CATEC
called TEKA Cigar Production and Trade Company in 2001, with
capital of 1.7 trillion Turkish lira (approximately USD 2.5
million at the then rate of exchange). The venture produced
5 million FONSECA cigars, but none were exported. Due to
operating losses, the company was dissolved in October 2003.


3. (U) Two-way trade, almost entirely Turkish exports to
CUBA, amounted to USD 1.4 million in the first 10 months of

2004. The two countries have agreements for a Joint Economic
Commission; Trade, Economic and Industrial Cooperation; and
Bilateral Investment Protection. Turkey's Export-Import Bank
established a 25 million Euro export insurance facility, but
it appears not to have been used.
EDELMAN