RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR NIKOLAY VLADIMIR DEPARTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000213

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR INR/B


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2014
TAGS: PINR PREL PM RS POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR NIKOLAY VLADIMIR DEPARTS
PANAMA, SLATED TO BE NORTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS DIRECTOR IN
RUSSIAN MFA

Classified By: Ambassador Linda E. Watt for Reasons 1.5 (b) & (d)



1. (SBU) This biographical report details Ambassador and
Emboffs' impressions of Nikolay Vladimir during his tenure as
Russian Ambassador to Panama as well as the highlights of his
Curriculum Vitae. Ambassador Vladimir departed Panama in
December 2003, informing Ambassador Watt that he had been
selected to head the MFA's North American directorate, an
appointment he characterized as a great privilege to which he
looks forward enthusiastically.



2. (U) Born in 1947 and bearing the diplomatic rank of Envoy
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, First Class, Nikolay
Mikhailovich Vladimir entered the Soviet Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in 1974. He graduated in 1970 from the Moscow State
Institute for International Relations (now MGIMO-Univ.) and
in 1982 from the Diplomatic Academy, both under the USSR MFA.
Vladimir served twice as in the Soviet Embassy in Hungary
(1974-80, 1989-94) and also in the Soviet Embassy in Cuba
(1982-85).



3. (U) Most recently, Vladimir served as Russian Ambassador
to Panama from August 2000 through December 2003. Vladimir's
most recent positions of note are: Deputy Director of MFA
North America Department (1996-98),Ambassador to Jamaica,
and non resident Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, later to
the Commonwealth of Dominica (1998-2000).



4. (C) Vladimir spent most of his term in Panama without his
family, though his wife made occasional visits. Mrs.
Vladimir, who speaks good English, was caring for elderly
parents in Russia, precluding her from accompanying her
husband to Panama. Vladimir occasionally visited his wife and
two adult children (one son, one daughter) in Russia. His
son works on non-proliferation issues at MFA



5. (C) Vladimir speaks excellent Spanish and English. He was
active in Panama diplomatic social scene. He was an active
promoter of Russian economic interests in Panama. As such,
he arranged the visit of a large delegation of Russian
businessmen to Panama and, near the time of his departure,
was working on a reciprocal visit to Russia by leading
Panamanian diplomats. Vladimir was a popular member of the
diplomatic corps in Panama, largely due to his easygoing and
affable personality. He showed special interest in the U.S.,
seeking out Embassy officers to discuss bilateral relations
which he invariably cast in a positive light (even during the
Iraq war when he highlighted mutual U.S./Panamanian interests
in a stable Iraq).



6. (C) Vladimir promoted a successful bilateral
anti-money-laundering agreement, and coordinated the visit to
Russia of the Panamanian Foreign Minister, Director of the
Maritime Authority, and other senior officials to sign a
reciprocal agreement on maritime issues. He presided over
the November 2003 groundbreaking ceremony for a large new
Russian Embassy in Panama.



7. (C) Vladimir consistently expressed great affection for
the U.S., recalling in particular the month he spent at the
University of Georgia in Athens in the mid-nineties. He has
traveled extensively in the U.S. as a member of official
delegations.


WATT